At its Black Belt Legacy Dinner and Fundraiser, slated for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3, at Birmingham’s Harbert Center on Fourth Avenue North, the Black Belt Community Foundation (BBCF) will honor University of Alabama – Birmingham (UAB) O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Dr. Ed Partridge as its 2019 Black Belt Legacy Award recipient

 

“BBCF is so proud to be able to honor one of Alabama’s, and the nation’s, leaders in the fight against cancer, particularly because his work has greatly impacted and transformed healthcare for the poor, rural and predominantly African-American communities of the Alabama Black Belt,” said BBCF President Felecia Lucky. “Each year, we enjoy this event, as it allows us to bring a bit of the Black Belt to Birmingham to share about our work as we honor special leaders who have connected to it and the region we serve, joining forces for the betterment of our communities.”

 

Partridge, who formerly served as President of the National Board of the American Cancer Society and was a 2013 recipient of the society’s prestigious National Humanitarian Award, focused much of his work on cancer prevention and treatment, with an emphasis of eliminating health barriers and disparities in underserved communities.

 

Along with his team, Partridge helped launch outreach programs in the Black Belt that trained non-medical community members to promote screenings and connect low-income patients to the care they need.

 

While leading the UAB cancer center, Partridge supported a network of hospitals and community health workers in an effort to close the gap in mammogram screenings between African-American and white women, doubled the rate of clinical trials among African-Americans and partnered with historically-black institution, such as Tuskegee University and Morehouse School of Medicine, to bolster cancer research.

 

“Creating trust, eliminating bias where you can and sharing power with those that are less fortunate are sort of the underlying themes,” Partridge said of his work.

 

Partridge joins an esteemed list of honorees that have been recognized by the BBCF since it launched its Black Belt Legacy Dinner and Fundraiser in 2014, including former Alabama Lieutenant Gov. George McMillan, former Alabama State Sen. Hank Sanders, Judge John H. England and others.

 

“Funds raised in honor of these distinguished leasers have helped to transform the region through the wide-ranging work of community-based nonprofits who are increasing graduation rates, improving reading levels and using the arts to teach math, just to name a few successes,” a press release on the event stated.

 

For more information on the event, including organizational table reservations and sponsorship opportunities, call 334-874-1126 or send an email to info@blackbeltfound.org.