ARTICLE
August 21, 2017, Osterville, Mass. – The American Cancer Society will honor three outstanding Cape Cod residents who are making a difference in the fight against cancer during the 16th annual Compass of Hope Gala on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Oyster Harbors Club. The community honorees are Colleen and Bob Kohl of The Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope, and the medical honoree is Daniel J. Canaday, MD, of the Davenport-Mugar Cancer Center in Hyannis and Clark Cancer Center in Falmouth. This signature event unites more than 200 Cape Codders to honor those who have been affected by cancer, to spread the word about prevention and detection and to raise money to fund research into treatments and cures and support programs and services for those facing the disease. “The Compass of Hope Gala is an event like no other and a festive way to support the Society’s wide range of programs, services and resources, which make a difference every day in the lives of Cape Codders touched by cancer,” said Holly Grant, executive director, American Cancer Society. “The money raised at the Gala helps us to support local Cape residents on their cancer journey today with programs like our Road To Recovery transportation program and our Personal Health Manager care management tool. We are enormously grateful to our local, Cape Cod donors for their help in providing access to cancer care.” Colleen and Bob Kohl, of Marston Mills, are the founders of the Glenna Kohl Fund For Hope, spurred by the loss of their daughter Glenna, who passed away after a diagnosis of melanoma. Their vision is a world where melanoma takes no lives. Their mission is to carry on Glenna’s work to increase awareness within the Cape Cod community to the importance of early detection and prevention of melanoma and to support those fighting this deadly disease. Cotuit resident and Cape Cod Healthcare physician, Dr. Canaday is Chief of Radiation Oncology of Cape Cod Healthcare, which encompasses the Clark Cancer Center at Falmouth Hospital and the Davenport-Mugar Cancer Center at Cape Cod Hospital. He is a member of the American College of Radiology, the American College of Radiation Oncology, the American Society of Clinical Oncology, and the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology. “Congratulations to Dr. Canaday and the Kohls for this honor,” said Michael K. Lauf, president and CEO, Cape Cod Healthcare. “We’re so pleased the American Cancer Society and the Compass of Hope Gala are working together with Cape Cod Healthcare to help provide patient services here on Cape Cod and the Islands. The Society estimates more than 37,000 people right here in Massachusetts this year will hear the words, ‘You have cancer.’ Together, we share a dedication to providing high-quality care to our Cape neighbors, family, friends or colleagues who have heard this diagnosis.” The Compass of Hope Gala is set for Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Oyster Harbors Club in Osterville, Mass. The evening will begin at 5 p.m. with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed at 6:15 p.m. by dinner, the presentation of the honorees and a live auction. The event will conclude with a dessert buffet and dancing. The theme of this year’s event is “Tender is the Night.” The 2017 Compass of Hope Gala Committee members are Alice O’Neill, Amy Britton, Phyllis Connelly, Sheila Coyle, Barbara Dunn, Susan Ellis, Sharon Kennedy, Melissa Marchand, Diane Salomone and Rob Thorne. The event’s auctioneer Bill Murphy, a native Cape Codder, born and raised in Centerville. Entertainment will be provided by big band tour de force Stage Door Canteen, a seasoned outfit comprised of some of the most polished professional musicians in southern New England. During the past 16 years, the Cape Cod community has raised more than $1.8 million through this exclusive event. Donations collected during this year’s Hands Up For Hope live donation segment of the Gala will benefit cancer patients on Cape Cod and the Islands. For information about sponsorships or tickets please contact Renee Hanscom at 508-897-4368 or renee.hanscom@cancer.org. Full details, as well as ticketing, are available online at www.compassofhopegala.org. For more information about the American Cancer Society, or its programs and services on Cape Cod, please visit www.Cancer.org or call 800-227-2345.