Crew, longtime director Gore to be honored by Lombardi Cancer Foundation

PHOENIX -- The Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation will bestow its annual Award of Excellence on the Brewers during an event in Milwaukee next month and will also honor Brewers Community Foundation executive director Cecelia Gore, the Lombardi Foundation announced on Thursday.

Individual tickets and corporate sponsorships for the 35th annual Award of Excellence Dinner, a black-tie event set for March 7 at the Pfister Hotel, are available at lombardifoundation.org. Funds raised will directly support cancer research, treatments and other programs to prevent cancer, provide patient care and continue the search for a cure.

The Award of Excellence is presented each year to a person or organization that “captures the spirit of commitment and pursuit of excellence that defines legendary coach Vince Lombardi,” the master motivator who led the Green Bay Packers through their glory years in the 1960s and died in 1970 from colon cancer.

The Brewers were a unanimous selection for recognition of the club’s ongoing commitment to cancer research and awareness through numerous collaborations with health care partners, players, coaches and fans over the years through the community relations department and the Brewers Community Foundation.

“Both on and off the field, the Milwaukee Brewers are deeply woven into the fabric of our community and give back to support so many critical needs throughout Greater Milwaukee and Wisconsin,” said Kate Braasch, a Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation board member and Award of Excellence Dinner co-chair. “We are beyond grateful for the support that the Brewers have shown to the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation, as well as so many other organizations that share our mission of finding a cure.”

In addition to honoring the team, the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation will recognize Gore with the Champion for a Cure Award, which was introduced last year to honor local leaders “who embody the same spirit of commitment and excellence in the fight against cancer.” Gore has been with the Brewers since 2009.

“Cecelia is an unwavering champion for those most vulnerable and deserving in our community,” said Emily Phillips, the foundation’s vice president and an Award of Excellence Dinner co-chair. “As a cancer survivor, she exemplifies resilience, strength and compassion, inspiring all who know her.”