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Tufts Medical Center to Honor 19-Year-Old Methuen Cancer Patient with 2nd Annual Cam Neely Award for Courage

Tufts Medical Center  announced today that 19-year-old Allison (Allie) Hawkes of Methuen will receive the Cam Neely Award for Courage at the 2014 Working Wonders benefit evening on Wednesday, March 26, 2014. The award, which is named for the NHL Hall of Famer, President of the Boston Bruins and Founder of The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care, honors individuals who courageously battle cancer or other serious diseases or caregivers who have selflessly provided comfort to those with such illnesses. Tufts Medical Center created this award in 2012 to celebrate The Cam Neely Foundation for Cancer Care’s transformative generosity to the Medical Center. The Foundation has given more than $27 million to the Medical Center throughout their 18 year partnership.

Allie has been a patient at Tufts Medical Center’s Floating Hospital for Children since she was 6-years-old and was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma. After 18 months of an intensive treatment regimen of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery to remove the tumor and multiple stem cell transplants, Allie’s cancer went into remission. Her cancer relapsed when she turned 11 and she received a high dose of chemotherapy for the next three and half years, putting her cancer into remission once again. At 16, her cancer relapsed for a second time and through aggressive treatment, Allie was able to beat neuroblastoma for the third time. In the summer of 2012, as she was about to enter college, Allie was diagnosed with a new cancer: osteosarcoma, bone cancer, in her leg. After spending the past year battling the cancer, Allie has recently started her freshman year, cancer free at Wheelock College, studying early childhood education. Her continued determination entirely embodies the spirit of the Cam Neely Award for Courage.
 
“Allie has beat cancer four times since she was just 6 years old. To see such a young woman, despite so many hardships, continue to embrace life and want to help others is truly inspiring and courageous,” said Cam Neely. “I am thrilled for the opportunity to honor Allie with this year’s Cam Neely Award for Courage.”
 
“Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children are honored to award Allison Hawkes with the annual Cam Neely Award for Courage,” said Dr. Michael Wagner, Interim President and CEO of Tufts Medical Center and Floating Hospital for Children. “She reminds us of how important determination and keeping a positive outlook on life are, and there could not be a more deserving recipient for this extremely special award.”
 
Tufts Medical Center’s annual Working Wonders benefit evening will be held on March 26, 2014, at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center.  The signature fundraising event will feature awards and a live auction to support compassionate care, leading-edge research and Tufts Medical Center’s commitment to treat all of their patients as if they are a part of their family.

About Working Wonders for Tufts Medical Center:
Working Wonders for Tufts Medical Center is an inspiring benefit evening to recognize and celebrate champions of the Medical Center. Every day Tufts Medical Center is working wonders - providing academically sophisticated care in a warm, collaborative and inviting atmosphere. Proceeds from the event will support compassionate care, leading-edge research and our commitment to treat all our patients as if they are a part of the family. For more information: http://www.workingwonderstuftsmc.org

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