Partners In Progress awards are given annually at our Leukemia Ball to recognize individuals in the medical/research and business worlds who have impacted our mission- to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.  Dr. Robert Stuart and the late Wilburn Brewer, Jr. were chosen as the first recipients of these awards. Their drive and dedication have set the standard for selection of future awardees.

Elena Bell, LISW, ACSW is an Adult Oncology Social Worker at MUSC-Hollings Cancer Center  She was the first social worker in the state to provide counseling and resources for bone marrow transplant patients.  As a friend of the Society for the past 17 years, Elena has facilitated numerous family support groups and, most recently, started a telephone support network as well as a bereavement group.  Her background as a legislative analyst, oncology social worker, bereavement counselor and administrator in health care has provided invaluable resources to our organization.

Wilburn Brewer, Jr., a Charleston native and partner at the Nexsen Pruet Jacobs and Pollard law firm in Columbia, lost a courageous fight with cancer and leukemia in October, 2003.  He was regarded as one the best litigators in South Carolina as well as leader, mentor, and motivator.  He used his skills and a passion towards finding a cure or leukemia by serving as a state and national trustee member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Grace Craig has served as the Montessori School LTN Team Captain every year since 2003, when her cousins, Miriam and Craig, were diagnosed with leukemia.  She has been recognized as a "Bright Light" Top Individual Fundraiser and her team has been recognized as a Top Friends and Family Team, both locally and statewide.  To date, Grace and the Montessori School LTN Team have raised over $48,000! Over the years, Grace has become a champion for LLS. In addition to her outstanding fundraising efforts, recently she was asked to share her first hand knowledge with her peers when a schoolmate was diagnosed with leukemia.

Daniel J. Fernandes, Ph.D., D.Sc. is a Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina. He has been continually funded since 1980 by national research organizations. From 1985-1990, he was a Scholar researcher of  The Leukemia Society of America.  His current research effort, funded in part by a translational research grant from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, consists of a comprehensive program that integrates basic and clinical studies that have identified important molecular changes that lead to the development of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.  The Society is pleased to support Dr. Fernandes' research and applaud his personal commitment and passion to our mission.

George F. Geils, Jr., M.D. serves as Medical Director of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Roper St. Francis Healthcare.  The Roper BMT Program offers state-of-the-art strategies to treat leukemia, lymphoma, and multiple myeloma.  As Chairman of the Institutional Review Board, Dr. Geils is focused on identifying novel therapies to improve the outcome of patients with cancer.  The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society salutes his commitment and  passion to the many blood cancer patients under his care. 

Barbara Halpern has been involved with the Society since 1994 in many capacities.  As a fundraising participant and coach for our Team In Training program, she has completed 22 marathons (plus 5 others outside TNT), her first triathlon through TNT (plus 7 others outside TNT), as well as several cycle events.  As a coach, she has helped nearly 600 participants achieve their goal of completing an endurance sport while encouraging them to raise an average of $3,000 each for the Society.  From 1997-2005, she personally generated over $140,000 through the Stingray Golf Classic she founded. She has been a Society trustee for 10 years and has always kept the Society's mission foremost in her mind. Barbara's great example, dedication, and compassion make her an invaluable asset to our organization.

Rev. Msgr. Robert J. Kelly was ordained in 1953 and served the Diocese of Charleston for 46 years.  In addition to numerous career recognitions, he served as teacher, rector and principal at Bishop England High School.  He lived his life by great example and always put others ahead of himself even when diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.  Father Kelly was dearly beloved by our community.   

Robert Stuart, MD, a cancer survivor, is an oncologist and researcher at MUSC.  In addition to numerous career recognitions, he performed the first bone marrow transplant in South Carolina in 1987 and was a a researcher funded by The Leukemia Society.  He has served as state trustee of the Society and continues to be an active volunteer.