City of Hope recognized businessman and philanthropist T. Denny Sanford with its highest accolade for exceptional individual achievement. Michael A. Friedman, M.D., president and chief executive officer, presented the President’s Award to Sanford on March 14.
 Michael Friedman, left, recognizes T. Denny Sanford. (Photo courtesy Christie’s Photographic Studio) |
Sanford received the award during the 2010 Rachmiel Levine Diabetes and Obesity Symposium, a global research conference hosted by City of Hope in Las Vegas. The accolade saluted Sanford’s tireless commitment to the advancement of biomedical research and patient care, a spirit reflected in City of Hope’s progress in the field of diabetes — and most recently, its work on connections between diabetes and cancer.
“Denny Sanford truly exemplifies the spirit of enlightened generosity — someone who uses his own success to seek innovative means to meaningfully benefit the lives of countless others. He is an inspiring role model and thoroughly deserving of this President’s Award,” Friedman said.
As chair of First Premier Bank, Premier Bankcard and United National Corporation, Sanford is highly successful in his professional life. That success is matched by his philanthropy: In the last four years, Sanford has donated about $700 million to support important health and education projects nationwide.
Most notably, in 2007 he announced a $400 million gift to establish a pediatric center in his home base of Sioux Falls, S.D. The facility, renamed Sanford Health, is known as the “Castle of Care,” in part for its unique design resembling a fairy-tale castle.
Sanford is only the second recipient of the President’s Award. It was created in 2006, when City of Hope honored Rep. David Dreier of California for his continued work in supporting scientific advances and cancer research.
“I am deeply honored to receive this award, and pleased to have my name linked with City of Hope,” Sanford said. “City of Hope’s work to find an end to diabetes — from the development of synthetic human insulin 30 years ago to advances in islet cell transplantation today — is a boon to patients all over the world.”
