Marin Mazzie Award for Empowerment

 

The Cancer Support Community (CSC) has announced that Emmy-nominated actress and patient advocate Marcia Cross will be the recipient of the 2020 Marin Mazzie Award for Empowerment, named in honor of Theater Hall of Fame inductee, three-time Tony nominee, and CSC Champion Marin Mazzie, who passed away of ovarian cancer in 2018.

CSC will recognize Cross, who has publicly discussed her diagnosis with anal cancer and called for greater awareness, on Thursday, July 16 at 8 p.m. EST.

Mazzie was a staunch supporter of CSC and actively advanced its mission to support people living with cancer and their loved ones. Her leadership and advocacy for women’s health issues, in particular ovarian cancer awareness, was honored with a special Tony Award. The Marin Mazzie Award for Empowerment honors her legacy by recognizing public figures who use their platform to both advocate for and inspire people who are living with cancer. Her husband, Broadway star Jason Danieley, continues to be a champion for CSC and a resolute advocate for cancer patients and caregivers.

 

 

As both a cancer survivor and caregiver, Cross inspires others and fights the stigma associated with HPV and anal cancer. Cross was diagnosed with anal cancer after a routine exam during a gynecological visit. A decade earlier, she had been the caregiver to her husband who was diagnosed with throat cancer. Both are now in remission. Doctors believe that their cancers came from HPV (human papillomavirus.) In a 2019 People Magazine interview, Cross explained her advocacy: “…I found myself in a position where nobody wants this job. Nobody wants to come forward. And I knew that people were suffering and people were ashamed.”

Kim Thiboldeaux, CEO of the Cancer Support Community, said, “In Marcia, we see someone who reflects Marin’s legacy as an advocate. Consistent with the mission of our organization and Marin’s immeasurable contributions as one of its top champions, Marcia has empowered, inspired, and given hope to countless people living with cancer, particularly those diagnosed with anal cancer who may feel isolated and judged.”

Danieley added: “I think that Marcia is an ideal person to receive the award. Marin would be very impressed and admire what she is taking on with her advocacy.” Cross is the second recipient of the Marin Mazzie Award for Empowerment. Tony nominee Ashley Park was recognized with the inaugural award last year.

CSC’s Virtual Celebration will also honor Airbnb with its Founders Award for Innovation and frontline healthcare workers, cancer survivors and nurses Ilona Tomczyk, RN and Johanna Marto, MSN, RN-BC from Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, NJ with its Founders Award for Courage. The inspiring and uplifting evening will feature performances by Broadway stars Kelli O’Hara and Laura Osnes along with special appearances by former NFL player Chris Draft, Broadway star Telly Leung, and Nicholas D. Lowry, President and Principal Auctioneer of Swann Auction Galleries and appraiser on the PBS show Antiques Roadshow. Returning to host the evening is Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist Jack Ford.

To register for the event and for more information, go to http://bit.ly/CSCVirtualGala