Dr. Anton Bilchik Named Alongside Mandela Family as Honorees for Prestigious Cancer Institute Award

Beverly Hills, CA - Anton Bilchik MD, PhD, FACS, Professor of Surgery and Chief of Medicine at the John Wayne Cancer Institute (JWCI), is set to be honored along with the Mandela family at the John Wayne Cancer Institute's ninth annual Odyssey Ball, slated for April 5, 2014 in Beverly Hills, CA. The event is part of a yearly fundraiser organized by the JWCI Auxiliary.

Dr. Bilchik will be presented with "The Duke" Special Service Award for his many contributions to JWCI and to the advancement of modern oncology. A native of South Africa, Dr. Bilchik has emerged as one the world's leading figures in the battle against colon, liver and pancreatic cancer. He has garnered international recognition for pioneering techniques for improving staging in colon cancer and minimally invasive surgeries for liver and pancreatic cancer. In addition, Dr. Bilchik is the founder of the California Oncology Research Institute, a highly praised nonprofit organization that aids cancer research and education in underrepresented areas.

The JWCI's special service award comes on the heels of several other recent honors given to Dr. Bilchik, including the "Humanitarian Award" presented by the Anti-Defamation League, and the distinction of being recognized as one of "America's Top Doctors" by Castle Connolly Medical Ltd.

The Mandela family will be honored with the "True Grit" Humanitarian Award for their role in ending Apartheid in South Africa. Headed by Nobel Peace Laureate and first black president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, the Mandela family fought tirelessly and bravely for decades to end the injustices brought about by the racist regime in control of the country. Their efforts were also instrumental in the reconciliation process, which helped form a new, racially inclusive South African government.

Dr. Bilchik is proud to be honored alongside the Mandela family by the John Wayne Cancer Institute at their upcoming ninth annual Odyssey Ball and he looks forward to continuing his work fulfilling the institute's mission to fight cancer and help cancer patients around the globe.

About Anton Bilchik MD:
Dr. Anton Bilchik is an internationally recognized leader in cancer research in surgical oncology and gastrointestinal malignancies. Dr. Bilchik is Chief of Medicine and Gastrointestinal Research at John Wayne Cancer Institute and Professor in Oncology at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. He is a pioneer of various surgical approaches for the staging of gastrointestinal cancers and minimally invasive surgeries to combat liver tumors. Dr. Bilchik has been the recipient of many awards and accolades for his accomplishments in the medical community, including the American Cancer Society. He is a member of the American Surgical Association. For more information, visit http://www.antonbilchikmd.com/ or follow him on Twitter.