John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary Honors Michael Sitrick At 28th Annual Odyssey Ball

SANTA MONICA, Calif., April 16, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Michael Sitrick, Chairman and CEO of Sitrick and Company, was honored with "The Duke Award" at the 28^th annual John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI) at Saint John's Health Center Odyssey Ball held April 13 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.  The gala featured a performance by singer/voice actress Rachael MacFarlane. 

Lieutenant General (USA Ret.) H. Steven Blum presented "The Duke Award" to Michael Sitrick.  Kobe Bryant congratulated Sitrick in a video http://youtu.be/uZy9gAbNqG0 saying, "I've got to speak from experience, Michael Sitrick is definitely somebody you want on your team."  Sitrick, an internationally recognized expert in the strategic use of communications, is the founder, Chairman and CEO of Sitrick and Company.  Called the "Wizard of Spin" by the Los Angeles Times, The "Spin Doctor's Spin Doctor" by the Financial Times, the "Flack for When You Are Under Attack" by Forbes and "The Winston Wolf of Public Relations" by Fortune, he has been the subject of numerous articles focusing on the results he has achieved for clients. 

The JWCI Auxiliary has raised more than $17 million for cancer research and is helmed by President Anita Swift, granddaughter of John Wayne. Proceeds from this year's Odyssey Ball will support JWCI's Surgical Oncology Fellowship Program, a vital part of The Institute's mission to train future leaders in cancer research and treatment and is the only center West of Chicago (and one of only eight nationally) accredited to provide advanced degree training in complex cancer surgeries.  The family of John Wayne, through the John Wayne Cancer Foundation, pledged $500,000 to this Fellowship Program. 

Since 1981, the John Wayne name has been committed by the Wayne family to groundbreaking cancer research and education in memory of their father, who died of cancer. The dedicated researchers at the John Wayne Cancer Institute have changed the way the world approaches cancer research and treatment yielding new breakthroughs that have helped doctors detect cancer sooner, stage it more precisely and treat it more effectively.  Today, the Institute is advancing its world renowned programs in melanoma, breast, neuro, and gastrointestinal cancers.  With its unique ability to rapidly turn scientific breakthroughs into innovative approaches to treatment and early detection, the Institute provides immediate hope to cancer patients around the globe. Visit www.jwci.org.

SOURCE John Wayne Cancer Institute