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Dancing with a Deadly DiseaseHonor Your Father Campaign Supports Prostate Cancer Researchby Jessica Rush
Since being diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago, Smith is also unstoppable in his quest to find a cure for the deadly illness that strikes one man in the United States every three minutes.
The three Houstonians, along with their families, are the driving forces behind the Honor Your Father Campaign for Prostate Cancer Research. Through a series of fundraising and awareness events that will be held through June 19, 2005 (Father's Day), this unprecedented campaign seeks to increase understanding of prostate cancer, encourage early detection and treatment, and fund research to find a cure. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths of men in the United States, after lung cancer, and the sixth leading cause of death of men overall, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 70 percent of all diagnosed prostate cancers are found in men aged 65 years or older, but all men are at risk. Funds raised through the Honor Your Father Campaign directly benefit cutting-edge prostate cancer research being conducted now at Baylor College of Medicine's Scott Department of Urology, considered one of the leading clinical and academic urology departments in the U.S.
The Smiths' financial commitment to Baylor Urology's programs now stands at $10 million, which includes a $7.5 million gift made in March 2004. Their most recent gift supports the establishment of three new chairs in the Department: The Lester and Sue Smith Chair in Reproductive Medicine, The Lester and Sue Smith Chair in Urologic Research, and The Carlton- Smith Chair in Urologic Education (supported in part by the Baylor Medical Foundation). The remaining funds will be given as challenge grants to various initiatives in the department. In addition to providing vital funding for department programs, Smith also gives generously of his time and talents. As chairman of Baylor's Prostate Cancer Research Initiative (PCRI) since 2002, he donates several hours each week to PCRI fundraising initiatives, counsels prostate and bladder cancer patients, and frequently provides lodging and transportation for needy patients and their families receiving treatment through Baylor. "The doctors at Baylor College of Medicine saved my life, and I want to help fund research that is aimed at conquering prostate cancer." With the Smiths' visionary support, the Honor Your Father Campaign has raised more than $2 million, a significant portion of which was generated by two major events held in the fall of 2004. Houston restaurateur Tony Masraff, a prostate cancer survivor, raised $225,000 in September 2004 through the "Evening of Hope" Gala. The 10th Annual Baylor College of Medicine Prostate Cancer Golf Tournament, held in October 2004, raised $260,000. Both events generated equal gifts from The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation for a collective total of $970,000. "The doctors at Baylor College of Medicine saved my life, and I want to help fund research that is aimed at conquering prostate cancer," Smith said. The Smiths' longtime friends Jan Carson and her husband Tim Connolly are serving as Campaign Chairs. The couple created the Honor Your Father Campaign theme as a means for recognizing the heartfelt bonds shared with fathers, grandfathers, brothers, uncles, and friends who are at risk for the life threatening disease. "My late father suffered from prostate cancer," said Carson. "Through my involvement in this Campaign, I am honoring him for always being there for me." Dan Duncan and his wife Jan are serving as Campaign Co-chairs. Duncan, a prominent Houston business leader and philanthropist, became an ardent supporter of Baylor College of Medicine after being successfully treated for prostate cancer in the mid 1990s. In 2003, he and his family provided a generous $2 million gift to the Scott Department of Urology to establish the Dan L. Duncan Family Chair in Prostate Disease. Most recently, the Duncan family also pledged an unprecedented gift of $35 million in support of Baylor Clinic, the College's new adult ambulatory care center. "Thanks to the skilled care I received from Baylor physicians, my cancer outcome was good," said Duncan. "I feel it's my obligation to do what I can to ensure that the important work being done at Baylor continues so that one day a complete cure for prostate cancer can be found." The Honor Your Father Gala Celebration, titled It Takes Two to Tango, is scheduled for May 7, 2005, at the Hotel InterContinental Houston. The evening of dining and dancing will feature three bands in two ballrooms with dazzling floor shows by U.S. Champion ballroom dances. The event will be the grand finale for the Campaign's fundraising initiative and will honor Lester and Sue Smith for their outstanding generosity and dedication to this cause. "It's almost inevitable that all Houstonians will be touched by prostate cancer during their lifetime, either through their own battle with the disease or that of a family member or friend," said Smith. "I have faith that our community will give generously in support of this worthy cause so that the Honor Your Father Campaign can fund research to find a cure for prostate cancer." To support the Honor Your Father Campaign for Prostate Cancer Research, call 713-600-0600 or visit www.honoryourfather.org. |
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Volume 1, Issue 1, Spring 2005 |
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| Last modified: October 10, 2008 |
Lester Smith is a passionate man. He is passionate
about business and about dancing. Smith and his wife,
Sue, took up competitive ballroom dancing in 1995 and
in August of 2002 won the United States Amateur Latin
Championship.
In one such minute in 2001, Smith, a member of
Baylor College of Medicine's Board of Trustees, received
his diagnosis. Other Houstonians to battle the disease
have included fellow BCM Board member Dan Duncan,
who was diagnosed in 1995. The father of veteran
Houston journalist Jan Carson was another prostate
cancer patient. His diagnosis would lead Carson, along
with Duncan, to team up with Smith in a new program
aimed at building prostate cancer awareness and funding
for research.
Lester and Sue Smith established the Campaign,
launched on September 9, 2004, at Houston's City Hall.
Through The Lester and Sue Smith Foundation, they
are matching 100 percent of every contribution made to
the Campaign. In honor of their father and his triumph
over prostate cancer and bladder cancer, Smith's children
are underwriting all Campaign costs.