Brodell is honored for cancer fight

The Warren doctor has been involved with the American Cancer Society for more than 20 years.

WARREN — Dr. Robert T. Brodell of Warren received the American Cancer Society’s Ted Marrs Award for his contribution in the area of advocacy.

He received the award at the American Cancer Society National Meeting in Atlanta. The award is presented annually to an exemplary volunteer in recognition of outstanding and continuous service in the area of public policy and advocacy.

“I have come to realize political action can be as important to the American Cancer Society mission as more traditional avenues of volunteer work, such as fundraising and providing patient services,” Dr. Brodell said.

Jo-Ann Crank, vice president of the Northeast Ohio Region American Cancer Society, said Dr. Brodell “has integrated a number of advocacy activities not only locally, but at the state and national levels.”

Dr. Brodell and his wife, Linda, and their five children are all American Cancer Society volunteers.

He has been involved with the American Cancer Society for more than 20 years. In 2001, he was the driving force behind the first Celebration on the Hill, a Relay For Life-type event, on the mall in front of the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C.

In September 2002, more than 10,000 volunteers from every congressional district in the country rallied on the mall and met with congressional leaders and President Bush about cancer issues.

After Celebration on the Hill, he continued to integrate advocacy into activities, such as Relay For Life — the signature event of the American Cancer Society. He is a strong recruiter of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, which is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major public health problem through voter education and issue campaigns aimed at influencing candidates and lawmakers to support laws and policies that will help people fight cancer.

In 2005, Dr. Brodell was inducted into the Relay For Life Hall of Fame. The Brodell Medical team is one of eight groups that have participated in all 14 Warren Relay For Life events since the relay’s inception.