The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s 2017 Shining Light Awards will take place at the Chase Center on the Wilmington Riverfront on Friday, June 2, 2017 from 8 to 10 a.m. Awards will be presented to individuals and companies in the following categories: Vicky Cooke for the Inaugural “Victoria Cooke Leadership Award”; Deloris Donnelly for “Spotlight on Survivorship”; Dennis Hallock, Capital School District for “Spotlight on Philanthropy”; Mid-Delaware Imaging accepted by Dr. Mahendra Parikh, for “Spotlight on Healthcare Delivery and Research”; and Highmark Delaware accepted by Tim Constantine, executive vice president of commercial markets for “Spotlight on Business.”
The Shining Light Awards began in 2014 as a way for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition to honor individuals and organizations who have made a difference in the local battle against breast cancer. The public was invited to nominate those most deserving of the Shining Light Awards for recognition. A panel of judges, chaired by DBCC board member Tynetta Brown—and including Sharon Baker, Pete Booker, Laura Ferguson, Vernita Dorsey, Patti Key, CPA; Meghan Mahoney Hudson, Carol Arnott Robbins, CFP, CDFA; John Shevock, Nicolle Surratte and Howell Wallace—joined together to select the five most deserving candidates for the awards.
The Victoria Cooke Leadership Award was created in 2017 to create a legacy for the agency’s first full-time executive director, Victoria Cooke. Victoria has been a pioneer in the fight against breast cancer in Delaware for over 25 years.
Deloris Donnelly was selected for the “Spotlight on Survivorship” award. Her breast cancer journey began when her mother lost her fight to the disease. Then, in early 2000, Deloris was diagnosed with breast cancer. She did not let her diagnosis slow her down. Over the last 17 years, she has offered her time and her shoulders to support too many women to name as a peer mentor. She founded a DBCC program called Nurture with Nature, providing breast cancer support in the outdoors. The program exposes survivors to hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding and astronomy in the great state of Delaware. Recently, Deloris also created an endowment to continue the Nurture with Nature program for years to come.
Since 2010, Dennis Hallock has been organizing the Capital School District in efforts to raise money for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The cause started when a senior secretary at Central Middle School was first diagnosed in 2010. Since then, multiple loved ones in the district have faced their own breast cancer struggles. Under Dennis’s leadership, the cause has grown to include every school in the district, and nearly $24,000 have been raised for the cause. Dennis was selected in the category of “Spotlight on Philanthropy.”
Dr. Mahendra Parikh, M.D., is the founder of Mid-Delaware Imaging, a private radiology practice which opened in 1990 in Dover. MDI uniquely offers Double Read Mammography at no charge to patients. Double Read Mammography allows patients to receive a second read on every report; studies have shown that this practice can increase the rate of breast cancer detection. Mid-Delaware Imaging was selected in the category of “Spotlight on Healthcare Delivery and Research.”
Highmark Delaware has been an integral partner in the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s efforts to break down barriers to healthcare. Through Highmark Delaware BluePrints for the Community, the coalition has served thousands of residents in Delaware. Their support allows DBCC to reach uninsured, underinsured and minority populations, provides access to screening services via partnerships with existing mammography providers, arranges for transportation to providers and offers consistent follow-up to ensure compliance. Because of substantial support from Highmark, thousands of Delaware women and families have been served, many collaborations have been formed, and life-saving messages have been delivered. Highmark has been selected as a winner in the category of “Spotlight on Business.”
As of April 13, 2017, the Shining Light Awards are made possible due to generous support from Mrs. Tatiana Copeland, Highmark Delaware, SEI Investments, Delaware Today, Regional Hematology and Oncology (RHOPA), Ms. Patricia Key, and Jerry and Linda Powell. For more information about the Shining Light Awards winners, sponsorship opportunities and registration information, please visit www.debreastcancer.org. Proceeds from the Shining Light Awards will benefit DBCC’s programs that increase breast cancer awareness, promote the importance of early detection, provide access to mammograms, and provide support and resources to women and men in the local community who are newly diagnosed or facing a recurrence of breast cancer.
