Making an Impact: Spotlight on the University of Michigan's Colorectal Cancer Grant             

Each year, proceeds from events and other initiatives of the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation are awarded to programs making a difference in cancer research, treatment, and prevention. In 2024, more than $300,000 was granted to eight programs, and awardees will be highlighted in this monthly email series throughout 2025.  

This year, we are pleased to support the research project “Optimizing Survivorship Among Younger Adults with Colorectal Cancer” at the University of Michigan with a $50,000 grant. This funding provided the initial seed money for the research team, led by Associate Professor Pasithorn (Amy) Suwanabol, M.D., to begin necessary interviews with the target patient population, build the data required for a comprehensive research project, and hire analysts for qualitative and quantitative work.

As awareness around colorectal cancer increases, so too are the diagnosis rates for adults under 50. As more adults under 50 are screened, diagnosed, and treated relatively early in their lives, there is a need to better understand the long-term effects of cancer treatment to improve long-term quality of life for these patients. Dr. Suwanabol and her team conduct studies on palliative care for colorectal cancer surgical patients, and this new project will address that need. 

The data now becoming available is valuable to Dr. Suwanabol and her team in their pursuit to improve quality of life for cancer patients. They combine scientific data gathered by oncologists treating younger patients with information gathered through patient interviews on topics like financial stability and literacy, access to healthcare, impact on building a family and/or establishing a career and other daily life factors. 

Thanks to the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation’s support, the University of Michigan is able to analyze all of these factors together for insights to shape better care strategies and ultimately improve the quality of life for all cancer and surgical patients.

VLCF Emphasizes Prevention of Colorectal Cancer

This month, the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation is working to build awareness on the prevention of and treatment for colorectal cancer, which is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed and third leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It is also the most preventable kind of cancer by detecting and removing abnormal growths early, before they develop into cancer. 

Regular screenings should now start at age 45, even if there is no personal or family history of colorectal cancer or any symptoms.

Be a leader in the fight against colorectal cancer by following the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation on social media and sharing lifesaving information with your network.

Our Partners: Marcus Corporation

With over 30 years of partnership, more than $300,000 in financial and in-kind contributions, and an incredible host to our world-class events, The Marcus Corporation is making an impact through their support of the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. Their team provides consistent and superior customer service to event attendees, allowing guests to focus on funding treatments and research for cancer. Their venues set a stunning backdrop to the call for support of our cause. They leverage their resources to provide in-kind donations to their restaurants and hotels to help raise more funds. Beyond hosting, their belief in our mission is evident through their generous sponsorships and participation as attendees of VLCF events. 

The Foundation celebrates the Marcus Corporation’s commitment to fighting cancer and partnership to maintain our legacy of premier event experiences benefitting our mission. We are grateful for their support and look forward to creating more memories together at many future events!

Headquartered in Milwaukee, Marcus Corporation is a leader in the lodging and entertainment industries with two main divisions. Marcus Corporation’s theatre division, Marcus Theatres®, is the fourth largest theatre circuit in the U.S. with locations in 17 states under the Marcus Theatres, Movie Tavern® by Marcus and BistroPlex® brands. Marcus® Hotels & Resorts owns and/or manages 16 hotels, resorts and other properties in eight states.  

Thank You To Our 2025 Award of Excellence Attendees!

Thank you to everyone who attended the 34th annual Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence dinner on Saturday, March 1st at the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee, which raised nearly $300,000 in support of our mission.

Together, we celebrated the 2025 honorees, highlighting how Mason and Molly Crosby capture the spirit of commitment and pursuit of excellence that define legendary Green Bay Packers Head Coach Vince Lombardi. With a strong commitment to community and leadership, Molly and Mason have served as Co-Chairs for the Vince Lombardi Golf Classic, helping to support the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation’s mission to prevent cancer, provide the best care to those fighting it, and ultimately, find a cure.

New this year, the foundation presented Dr. David Margolis with the first-ever Champion for a Cure Award, a recognition that honors local leaders who embody that same spirit of commitment and excellence in the fight against cancer. Dr. Margolis, or "Dr. Dave" as his patients call him, is Pediatrician-in-Chief at Children's Wisconsin and chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

How You Can Make an Impact: Donate in Support of Cancer Research

With the uncertainty around the federal budget and the pending cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the NIH has halted their review of applications to fund cancer research. As such, grants received from private organizations like the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation are that much more important right now, and in the years ahead. 

Grants from VLCF are funded by private donations and proceeds from our events. This means that your donation now will have an even greater impact to help further the innovative research needed to improve treatments and find a cure for cancer.

Learn more about our 2024 grant recipients and VLCF’s grant application review process. 

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A registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.