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(EMPIRE NEWS NETWORK (ENN)- RIVERSIDE, CA- A four-year cancer survivor who works to help reduce the mortality rate among African-American breast cancer patients in Inland Southern California was named one of the nation’s top “40 Under 40 in Cancer” this month.
Kamesha Miles, 34, of Riverside, was honored at a cocktail reception on Saturday, June 2 in Chicago designed to celebrate the contributions of 40 people under the age of 40 who are working to improve the lives of those affected by cancer. She started as a volunteer for Susan G. Komen Inland Empire, which serves all of Riverside and San Bernardino counties, and was hired three years ago.
Miles serves as Mission Program Coordinator for the affiliate and has been instrumental in leading an initiative called Circle of Promise that focuses on cultural breast health disparities among African-American women and helps women overcome those disparities through education, awareness and preventative care in pursuit of health equity.
“It’s such an honor to be nominated and selected for this award,” Miles said. “Empowering people and advocating on behalf of breast health in San Bernardino and Riverside counties has been both rewarding and eye-opening as a mission coordinator and survivor.”
Nominations for the 40 Under 40 in Cancer award came from across the country and represented the following categories: clinical and patient care; biopharma, diagnostics and devices; research, science and technology; government, regulatory and payer; and patient, advocacy and policy. Members of the 2018 inaugural class were selected by a panel of judges.
Miles holds the Oncology Patient Navigator–Certified Generalist Certification” (OPN-CG), working with an oncology nurse navigator to help women access community resources. Miles was nominated by fellow breast cancer survivor Deborah Lefkowitz, a doctoral student at UC Irvine; Michelle Melancon, the oncology nurse navigator at Dignity Health St. Bernardine in San Bernardino; and Gwendolyn Limon, the physician relations liaison for City of Hope.
The award was created by McGivney Global Advisors, an expert consulting firm for biopharma companies, and The Lynx Group, a global strategic alliance of medical communications and education companies.
“Early-career leaders in oncology — clinicians, researchers, business people, advocates — are making an enormous impact on patients and the cancer community, but many of these individuals have not had the opportunity to be widely recognized,” says McGivney Global Advisors partner and cancer survivor Jennifer Hinkel. “’40 under 40 in Cancer’ is an effort to highlight the contributions of these rising stars.”
“These individuals are tomorrow’s driving force in innovation,” said Brian Tyburski, president and chief executive officer of The Lynx Group. “Their achievements are crucial, well deserved, and should be applauded by all.”
More information about the award, nomination process and the “40 Under 40 in Cancer” awards ceremony and recipients can be found at 40under40incancer.com.
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