O’Neal Cancer Center hosts 2026 Iron Strong Awards

The annual O’Neal Iron Strong Awards recognize cancer survivors who participated in a clinical trial during their treatment and, in doing so, both received a positive outcome on their treatment and helped advance cancer research, treatment, and care. Furthermore, the 2026 Iron Strong Awards not only recognized nine honorees but also a generous donation to the clinical trials program which helps make these trials possible.

Contributing to clinical trials research

At the beginning of the award ceremony, cancer center director Barry Sleckman, M.D., Ph.D., thanked Norman Estes, president and chief executive officer of NHS Management, LLC, for his pledged contribution of $5 million; Estes’s donation aims to establish the Estes Family Clinical Trials Program at the UAB O’Neal Cancer Center, pending approval by the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees. This landmark investment will strengthen the UAB O’Neal Cancer Center’s nationally recognized clinical trials program and expand access to innovative cancer therapies for patients across Alabama and the Southeast.

“I wanted to support the expansion of the clinical trials program because I came to understand how hard it is for people to participate in these clinical trials programs, and I saw it as a worthwhile cause,” Estes explains.

“The generosity and vision demonstrated by Norman Estes represent a profound investment in the future of cancer care,” Sleckman adds. “This gift will significantly enhance our ability to conduct groundbreaking clinical research, expand access to innovative treatments, and bring new hope to patients and families facing cancer. We are deeply grateful for Mr. Estes’s commitment to advancing our mission of improving cancer outcomes through discovery, innovation, and compassionate care.”

Fighting cancer – A community effort

At the beginning of the ceremony, Sen. Katie Britt (AL) delivered a speech thanking the UAB O’Neal Cancer Center’s researchers, physicians, and clinicians for their tireless efforts in fighting cancer.

“For all the researchers and physicians … you’ve all made extraordinary contributions to your patients, to finding cures, and to the future of medicine,” Britt said, addressing the room. “In the US Senate, I have been honored to champion so many of the things that you do here at UAB. I have been deeply proud to support this mission of hope that you bring to families and communities, ultimately leading to a vision of a life without cancer.”

“Difficulties Do Not Deter Us”

This year, the O’Neal Iron Strong Awards recognized and celebrated nine individual honorees. Below are their stories, in brief:

• Rebecca Hall, patient of Erica Stringer-Reasor, M.D.
  • Rebecca Hall enrolled in an investigational clinical trial in 2018 after metastatic breast cancer spread to her brain, leaving her with few treatment options. The study evaluated a three-drug combination that helped control her cancer until new FDA-approved therapies became available, including one studied in the trial. Now, Ms. Hall lives in Birmingham with her son, Charlie, and she continues to benefit from advances in clinical research while celebrating milestones with her entire family.
  • Read more about Rebecca Hall’s journey on our blog at https://www.onealcanceruab.org/news-and-events/news/rebecca-hall-her2-positive-breast-cancer-clinical_trial/
• Gabryella “Gabby” McCraw, patient of Ana Xavier, M.D., and Julie Wolfson, M.D.
  • Gabryella “Gabby” McCraw was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of eight in 2020, and she enrolled in a clinical trial evaluating blinatumomab for children at high risk of relapse. The study demonstrated such positive results that it ended early, was published in the New England Journal of Medicine, and established the treatment as the new standard of care. Gabby is now a healthy teenager living in Tuscaloosa, playing the violin, and looking forward to participating in school sports.
• Gregory Walker, patient of Kelly Godby, M.D., and Luciano Costa, M.D., Ph.D.
  • Gregory Walker – a United States Navy veteran with three tours of duty overseas, including serving in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom – was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2020, and he participated in two clinical trials at the UAB O’Neal Cancer Center. One study, the MajesTEC-3 trial, contributed to the FDA approval of a new drug combination for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma. A resident of Anniston, Alabama, Mr. Walker is now an advocate for clinical trial participation in his community.
• Virgil Lugar, patient of Sharon Spencer, M.D. and Hsiao-Lan Wang, Ph.D.
  • Virgil Lugar was treated for oral cavity cancer in 2023, and he experienced a recurrence in 2025, requiring radiation therapy. He participated in two observational clinical studies focused on vision changes and symptom management during head and neck cancer treatment, while also taking part in the Sullivan Head and Neck Cancer Survivorship Initiative; there he and other cancer patients meet weekly with UAB staff to discuss ways to reduce post-treatment symptoms, sharing his motto, “I’m not wasting my energy on worrying, because I need that energy to heal.” Mr. Lugar is a resident of Birmingham, Alabama.
• Yolanda Jackson, patient of Syed Qasim Hussaini, M.D., and Robert Hollis, M.D.
  • Yolanda Jackson was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005, followed by endometrial cancer in 2022 and then locally advanced rectal cancer in 2024. Throughout her two-decade cancer journey, she participated in genetic testing and a clinical trial studying intermittent fasting during rectal cancer recovery. A resident of Auburn, Alabama, Jackson credits the UAB O’Neal Cancer Center’s multidisciplinary approach and commitment to research with helping her through each diagnosis.
• James Proctor, patient of Louis Burt Nabors III, M.D.
  • James Proctor was working as a prominent corporate attorney in Birmingham when he was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2024 and enrolled in the AGILE clinical trial, evaluating the investigational therapy ADI-PEG 20 alongside standard treatment. The study aims to improve survival and quality of life for patients with aggressive brain cancer. Mr. Proctor credits his experience as an attorney with helping him ask questions as he continues treatment while returning to an active lifestyle, enjoying golf and family vacations.
• Randi Cummings, patient of J. Bart Rose III, M.D.
  • Randi Cummings was diagnosed with stage T2b gallbladder cancer in 2023 after relocating from New York to Birmingham. She participated in a clinical trial evaluating the timing of chemotherapy and surgery for gallbladder cancer, helping researchers answer important questions that may improve future treatment. Ms. Cummings now remains cancer-free and continues regular follow-up care.
• Karla Lopez, patient of Sravanti Rangaraju, M.D.
  • Karla Lopez was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 2023 and enrolled in an international clinical trial evaluating a chemotherapy-free immunotherapy approach using Blinatumomab. Although she did not complete the full study, the treatment placed her into remission and may help establish immunotherapy as a future standard of care. Karla lives in Birmingham, raising her two sons.
• Piper Diamond, patient of Elizabeth Alva, M.D., and Julie Wolfson, M.D.
  • Piper Diamond was diagnosed with metastatic neuroblastoma as an infant and participated in a clinical trial evaluating Difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), also known as eflornithine, as maintenance therapy following intensive treatment. The study contributed to FDA approval of the drug, now marketed as Iwilfin, to reduce the risk of relapse in children with high-risk neuroblastoma. Piper’s journey included a heartbreaking nine-month stay at Children’s of Alabama; chemotherapy, radiation and autologous stem cell transplant; and her father’s passing following a fatal car accident. Piper, now six years old, has overcome illness and heartbreak, is beginning to thrive, and remains cancer-free.

Clinical trials, and the fight for a cancer-free future

The UAB O’Neal Cancer Center is Alabama’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center and one of just 58 comprehensive cancer centers in the nation. Bringing together scientists and physicians from across disciplines, the O’Neal Cancer Center is dedicated to reducing the cancer burden through innovative research, world-class patient care, education, prevention, and community outreach.

“The personal journeys of the nine patients we are recognizing with Iron Strong Awards represent all cancer patients striving to live the O’Neal motto, difficultas ne deterrem—Difficulties do not deter us,” Sleckman said. “Their willingness to participate in clinical trials has led to good outcomes on their own cancer journeys in addition to helping shape the future of cancer treatment, benefiting patients they will never meet and inspiring hope for generations to come.”

Learn more about the clinical trials conducted at the UAB O’Neal Cancer Center at https://www.onealcanceruab.org/patients-caregivers/clinical-trials/.