Atlanta (May 25, 2018) - CURE Childhood Cancer, a nonprofit organization dedicated to funding disease-fighting research and supporting children with cancer and their families, has bestowed the inaugural Ragab Spirit of Hope Award to John and Ellen Yates.
“Ellen and John Yates have shown a deep commitment over more than 25 years to fighting childhood cancer and loving the children and families who endure this difficult life challenge,” says CURE Executive Director Kristin Connor. “As leaders of the organization, dedicated volunteers and generous donors, the Yates have been integral to the growth and success of the organization. Ultimately that has allowed us to better serve children with cancer and their families.”
CURE presented the award May 19 at its fifth annual Believe Ball. The honor is named for CURE’s founder, pediatric oncologist Dr. Abdel Ragab, who passed away last year. “We will present it each year at the Believe Ball to individuals who exhibit those four character traits for which Dr. Ragab was known: dedication, compassion, perseverance and innovation,” Connor adds.
John Yates chairs MMM’s Technology Group. He and Ellen became involved after doctors diagnosed their then three-year-old son Paul with Stage Four cancer. Paul is now a healthy adult with a family of his own. The experience motivated Ellen Yates to begin volunteering with hospitalized children. She joined the CURE board in 2009. John Yates has served on the board as well.
“Few organizations are having a greater impact than CURE,” he says. It’s our privilege to serve and our honor to give back.”
This year’s Believe Ball, chaired by Baseball Hall of Famer and former Atlanta Brave Tom Glavine, raised $1.1 million for pediatric cancer research. Former WXIA-TV reporter Jaye Watson was the emcee of the event.
For more information about CURE’s mission and services, or to donate, visit curechildhoodcancer.org.
