Awards

The Margaret L. Hodges Leadership Award

Established in honor of Gala founder Margaret L. Hodges, The Margaret L. Hodges Leadership Award is presented to remarkable individuals who embody Margaret’s can-do leadership spirit. 

Emily Bhatnagar is a 21-year-old philanthropist, bibliophile, writer, and lifelong dreamer. Deeply impacted by her beloved father’s painful battle with cancer, she began For Love & Buttercup: a book drive to cheer up children with cancer. What once was a small project soon transformed into a national movement that gained the attention of thousands after her emotional story was featured in The Washington Post. 

Bhatnagar is the recipient of numerous awards, including The President’s Volunteer Service Award and CNN’s Young Wonder of 2023. Her love for books traces back to a very young age when a shy Emily struggling to make school friends would spend her weekends at Barnes & Noble with her father, picking out books for the both of them to read together under the Gaithersburg, Maryland sky in which she calls home.

Congratulations, Emily!

The Director’s Champion in Research Award

Created by Dr. Louis M. Weiner, the Director’s Champion in Research Award honors individuals whose philanthropy, leadership, and advocacy have made transformative contributions in the world of cancer research.

 

The 2025 Director’s Champion in Research Award will be announced soon!

Director’s Champion in Research Award

2024  Marlene A. Malek, RN and Ellen V. Sigal, PhD

 

Margaret L. Hodges Leadership Award

2024  Scott LaGanga and Tim Lawrence

2023  Herb and Carolyn Kolben

2022  Kevin Reilly and Hyundai Hope on Wheels

2019  Elizabeth Shepard

2018  DeMaurice Smith

2017  Jeanne Ruesch

2016  Bonnie Roberts

2015  Washington Area Lexus Dealers

2014  Samuel Foster

2013  Ellen Terry

2012  Barbara Schaefer McDuffie

2011 Tom and Liz Donohue

2010  Ron and Carol Crawford

2009  Mark and Molly Decker

2007  John Safer

2006  Bernard and Sarah Gewirz

2005  Paul Schweitzer

2004  Sarah Boyer Jenkins

2003  Margaret Wimsatt

2002  Nancy Chistolini

2001  Jill Kirkpatrick

 

NFL Players Association Georgetown Lombardi Award

2023 Coach Ron Rivera

2019  Bobby Mitchell

2018  Mark Rypien

2017  Bryant Gumbel

2016  Chris Mortensen

2015  Devon and Leah Still

2014  Stuart Scott

2013  Larry Fitzgerald

2012  Robert Kraft