Heroes Honored

Healing Hero for Excellence Awards

Annually, at the HATS & HEROES BALL, Kids Beating Cancer presents two prestigious awards, the Healing Hero for Excellence in Pediatric Oncology and the Healing Hero for Excellence in Community Leadership.

Healing Hero of Excellence for Pediatric Oncology

Kids Beating Cancer Healing Hero for Excellence in Pediatric Oncology. This award honors a pediatric oncology specialist whose life encompasses the true spirit of being a medical professional by offering comprehensive, compassionate care to children with cancer and their families. This physician will go above and beyond practice norms for the betterment of their patients, and thereby upholds the highest ideals of the medical profession. This physician serves as the voice of children who otherwise might not be heard.

This physician is involved in the development of improved methods to treat children diagnosed with cancer more safely, effectively and with fewer side effects, and is focused on advancing the most significant breakthroughs in the treatment of pediatric cancers that will offer the best hope of a cure to children with cancer worldwide.

In previous years, this award was for local physicians of Pediatric Medicine. Focusing on the advancements that will lead to curing cancer and Leukemia, in 2023 this Award is now honoring national leaders in Pediatric Oncology.

Award Criteria:

Promote the art and science of medicine and the betterment of the public health.
Embody the values of the medical profession through leadership, service, excellence, integrity, and ethical behavior.
Enrich patients, colleagues and the community through dedicated medical practice or service.
Offer access to the highest quality of therapeutic options for the high-risk pediatric cancers

Healing Hero Award for Excellence in Community Leadership

Kids Beating Cancer Healing Hero for Excellence in Community Leadership recognizes a distinguished citizen or corporate leader who has given extraordinary amounts of time and talent to the community and exemplifies service and civic support in improving the lives of children.

The nominees for the Kids Beating Cancer Healing Hero for Excellence in Community Leadership are individuals or corporations who have acted with integrity, faith and confidence on behalf of the community, as well as being a catalyst for creation of positive leadership in Central Florida, in the region and beyond. The nominees for this award are those who have exemplified outstanding service and civic leadership and have been significantly generous in giving of time and support to children’s health.

Award Criteria:

Community leader acting with integrity, faith and confidence on behalf of the community and children’s health.
Catalyst for positive leadership: demonstrates dedication to strengthening and transforming community leadership.
Commitment to, and involvement in, Central Florida and the region and beyond.
Exemplifies strong service and civic leadership for children: generous in gift of time and support to the community’s needs.

“May we have eyes to see those who are rendered invisible and excluded, open arms and hearts to reach out and include them, healing hands to touch their lives with love, and in the process heal ourselves.”
Dr Jack McConnell