Spotlight on Survivorship Deloris Donnelly

The 2017 Shining Light Awards will take place at the Chase Center on the Wilmington Riverfront on Friday, June 2, 2017 from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Awards will be presented to individuals and companies in the following categories: Vicky Cooke for the Inaugural “Victoria Cooke Leadership Award”; Deloris Donnelly for “Spotlight on Survivorship”; Dennis Hallock, Capital School District for “Spotlight on Philanthropy”; Mid-Delaware Imaging Accepted by Dr. Mahendra Parikh, for “Spotlight on Healthcare Delivery and Research”; and Highmark Delaware Accepted by Tim Constantine, Executive Vice President of Commercial Markets for “Spotlight on Business”.

The Shining Light Awards began in 2014 as a way for the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition to honor individuals and organizations who have made a difference in the local battle against breast cancer. The public was invited to nominate those most deserving of the Shining Light Awards for recognition. A panel of judges, chaired by DBCC Board Member Tynetta Brown, and including Sharon Baker, Pete Booker, Laura Ferguson, Vernita Dorsey, Patti Key, CPA, Meghan Mahoney Hudson, Carol Arnott Robbins, CFP, CDFA, John Shevock, Nicolle Surratte and Howell Wallace joined together to select the five most deserving candidates for the awards.

Spotlight on Healthcare Delivery and Research Mid-Delaware Imaging Accepted by Dr. Mahendra Parikh Left to right: Amol Parikh, D.O, Mahendra Parikh, M.D., and Anush Parikh, M.D.

The Victoria Cooke Leadership Award was created in 2017 to create a legacy for the agency’s first full-time executive director, Victoria Cooke. Whether acting as the first-ever Executive Director of the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition or volunteering within the community, Vicky has left an indelible mark. She has been a pioneer in the fight against breast cancer in Delaware in every sense of the word. Her vision and direction for over 25 years has been exceptional, and she leads with distinguished grace and humility.

Deloris Donnelly’s was selected for the “Spotlight on Survivorship” award. Her breast cancer journey began when her mother lost her fight to the disease.  Then, in early 2000, Deloris was diagnosed with breast cancer. She did not let her diagnosis slow her down. Over the last seventeen years, she has offered her time and her shoulders to support too many women too name as a peer mentor. She founded a DBCC program called Nurture with Nature providing breast cancer support in the outdoors. The program exposes survivors to hiking, biking, kayaking, horseback riding, and astronomy in the great state of Delaware. Recently, Deloris also created an endowment to continue the Nurture with Nature program for years to come.

Spotlight on Business
Highmark Delaware Accepted by Tim Constantine, Executive Vice President of Commercial Markets

Since 2010, Dennis Hallock has been organizing the Capital School District in efforts to raise money for breast cancer awareness month. The cause started when a senior secretary at Central Middle School was first diagnosed in 2010. Since then, multiple loved ones in the district have faced their own breast cancer struggles. Under Dennis’s leadership, the cause has grown to include every school in the district and nearly $24,000 have been raised for the cause. With his generous spirit and kind heart, Dennis is a shining light to all of us and was selected in the category of “Spotlight on Philanthropy”.

Dr. Mahendra Parikh, M.D. is the founder of Mid-Delaware Imaging, a private radiology practice which opened in 1990 in Dover. Dr. Parikh spends countless hours with patients in hopes that he can reduce some amount of the stress and anxiety associated with awaiting mammogram results.  MDI uniquely offers Double Read Mammography at no charge to the patients. Double Read Mammography allows patients to receive a second read on every report. Studies have shown that this practice can increase the rate of Breast Cancer detection. MDI has always been proud to support the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and all of its members as a sponsor and medical care provider. The Coalition is proud to announce Mid-Delaware Imaging was selected in the category of “Spotlight on Healthcare Delivery and Research”.

Highmark Delaware has been an integral partner in the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition’s efforts to break down ba

Spotlight on Philanthropy
Dennis Hallock, Capital School District

rriers to healthcare. Through Highmark Delaware BluePrints for the Community, the Coalition has served thousands of residents in Delaware. Their support allows DBCC to provide outreach to reach uninsured and underinsured and minority populations; provides access to screening services via partnerships with existing mammography providers; arranges for transportation to providers; and offers consistent culturally and linguistically appropriate follow-up to ensure compliance. Because of substantial support from Highmark, thousands of Delaware women and families have been served; many collaborations have been formed and life-saving messages have been delivered. Highmark has helped DBCC become Delaware’s most trusted breast cancer resource. They have been selected as a winner in the category of “Spotlight on Business”.

As of April 13, 2017 the Shining Light Awards are made possible due to generous support from the Mrs. Tatiana Copeland, Highmark Delaware, SEI Investments, Delaware Today, Regional Hematology and Oncology (RHOPA), Ms. Patricia Key and Jerry and Linda Powell. Additional sponsorship opportunities, beginning at $500, are available and individual reservations are $50 per person or $40 for breast cancer survivors. For more information about the Shining Light Awards winners, sponsorship opportunities, and registration information, please visit www.debreastcancer.org. Proceeds from the Shining Light Awards will benefit DBCC’s programs that increase breast cancer awareness, promote the importance of early detection, provide access to mammograms, and provide support and resources to women and men in the local community who are newly diagnosed or facing a recurrence of breast cancer.

The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition is a 501(c)(3) organization offering statewide programs and services of education, outreach, and early detection and treatment of breast cancer. Its mission is to create a community where every person diagnosed with breast cancer is a survivor, and fear and doubt are replaced with knowledge and hope.

Headquartered in Wilmington with offices in Sussex and Kent Counties, DBCC’s programs reach diverse communities to deliver messages that address their unique concerns about breast cancer and early detection. Recognizing the barriers of language, culture, and economics, DBCC trains community advocates to educate and encourage women to take responsibility for breast health. DBCC helps women with low incomes and those with little or no insurance to receive free or reduced-cost care.

DBCC also supports the National Breast Cancer Coalition and their research efforts by helping to facilitate participation in local clinical trials. All funds raised for DBCC support programs in Delaware and the neighboring areas in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey.

For more information about the Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition, call 866-312-DBCC (3222) or visit the website at www.debreastcancer.org.