Stop cancer is a non-profit, philanthropic organization dedicated to helping find a cure for cancer by funding cancer research at National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated comprehensive cancer centers. The focus of the organization is to provide grants to scientists who are engaged in innovative cancer research and its subsequent clinical applications.
History of Stop Cancer
Philanthropist, entrepreneur, corporate executive, art collector, medical doctor, citizen-diplomat, friend of heads-of-state, world traveler and visionary—Dr. Armand Hammer, chairman and founder of Occidental Petroleum Corporation was all of these and more. Until his death in December 1990 at age 92-1/2, he literally worked around the clock seven days a week.
As Chairman of President Ronald Reagan’s Cancer Panel for 8 years, Dr. Hammer learned that the preponderance of requests for cancer research grants were unfilled at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) due to lack of funds. Consequently, in 1988 in partnership with Sherry Lansing, former Chairman of Paramount Pictures, he founded the non-profit, volunteer, nationally focused campaign STOP CANCER, dedicated to funding cancer research.
Dr. Armand Hammer
and Prince Charles
Following Armand Hammer’s passing, STOP CANCER was reorganized in 1991 with Sherry Lansing as Chair and Arlene and David Ray as Founding Presidents. At the suggestion of the Director of the NCI, the focus of the now-permanent organization became local with the establishment of Research Career Development Awards and Seed Grants to selected young scientists at Los Angeles County’s three Comprehensive Cancer Centers, UCLA’s Jonsson, USC’s Norris and the City of Hope Center.
Dr. Hammer would be proud of the accomplishments of STOP CANCER and its hardworking volunteer members and staff who have raised since 1988, including the original STOP CANCER campaign funds, nearly $50 million for cancer research. He would be happy knowing that Dr. Ray R. Irani, his successor as chairman and CEO of Occidental, picked up the torch to help carry on the quest to vanquish cancer. Over the years Dr. Irani and Occidental have most generously supported STOP CANCER. Ray Irani received the First STOP CANCER Humanitarian Award at the organization’s Annual Research Awards Dinner on November 5, 2003.
The dedication, the enthusiasm and the perseverance that Armand Hammer brought to the mission of STOP CANCER inspire today’s indomitable volunteers to help fulfill his dream of a cure for cancer in our lifetime—if not in his.
