BOTN Outstanding Contribution to Healthcare.pdf

Platinum Award

Carolyn “Bo” Aldigé, founder, president and CEO of the Prevent Cancer Foundation 

For 30 years visionary public health advocate and humanitarian Carolyn R. (“Bo”) Aldigé has been steadfastly focused on helping save lives through cancer prevention. 

Aldigé has noted that in the 1980s everyone seemed almost exclusively focused on finding a magic bullet cure for cancer. In 1985, the year after cancer claimed her father’s life, Aldigé envisioned an organization that would solely focus on cancer prevention and early detection. She founded the Prevent Cancer Foundation in memory of her father. Her vision, driven through the foundation, shifted thinking around cancer and has indeed helped save countless lives. 

To date the foundation has invested nearly $140 million in research, education, advocacy and community outreach programs. 

Funding has been awarded to more than 400 researchers at 150 leading academic medical centers. Many of these researchers have gone on to do great things, including work on the HPV vaccine, the breast-cancer drug Tamoxifen and LDCT lung scans. 

The foundation has also developed innovative ways to reach and educate multiple audiences and its leaders work tirelessly to educate and engage lawmakers.

Aldigé’s service extends well beyond her own orga­nization. She has served on boards of directors/advisers of eight National Cancer Institute–desig­nated Cancer Centers. She’s been a C-Change member since its inception. Additionally, she serves as vice-chairman of the Global Lung Cancer Coali­tion (GLCC), sits on the executive committee of the International Digestive Cancer Alliance and is a member of the board of directors of the International Society for Cancer Prevention.

Numerous nonprofit organizations and cancer centers, as well as the National Cancer Institute, have honored Aldigé. She is the only person to have received public service awards from the American Association for Cancer Research, the American Society of Clinical Oncology and the American Society of Preventive Oncology.