On the Town: Cancer guild raises $78,000 in first year

An avid photographer and all-around-go-to-girl, Julie Shermer was on the receiving end of the camera at Glendale Adventist Medical Center. On Thursday, in front of some 75 fans, Shermer received the first annual Courage Award for her courageous fight against colon cancer. Her oncologist, Dr. Boris Bagdasarian, presented the award to her in the hospital's “Garden of Hope” in front of the hospital's Cancer Services Center. Bagdasarian is also on the hospital staff and is a member of the L.A. Cancer Network.

Owner of the Glendale Connection, Shermer was most recently employed as the City's Neighborhood Services Fund Development Coordinator. Shermer was also a past president of Soroptimist International of Glendale, having joined in 1978.

At the podium was new CEO Kevin Roberts. He described joining the hospital six months ago from Hawaii. He felt right at home surrounded by the afternoon's Hawaiian theme. He introduced Shermer's family, including her mother Genevieve Sultenfuss, looking spry at 101 years old. Julie's husband of 30 years, Howard Shermer, was also front and center, as were three of Julie's adult children, Kimberly Meyer, Kathy Burroughs and Jim Burroughs. Fourth child, Chris Burroughs, was not able to be present. Shermer's granddaughters on hand were Alyson Meyer, 21, and Kristen Burroughs, 19.

Event Co-Chairs, both Soroptimists, were Liz Mirzaian and Sandy Schultz. Mirzaian is the hospital's director of volunteer resources. Another Very Important Person present was Director of Cancer Services Melina Thorpe. Thorpe introduced Karine Bagdasarian, President of the event's presenting organization, the Dr. Norick Bogossian Cancer Care Guild. Karine, wife of Dr. Boris Bagdasarian, announced that in the Guild's inaugural year, $78,000 was raised to support the Guild's mission to raise cancer awareness and to raise funds for the Cancer Center. Available at the center are free support services, free family counseling, free fitness center services and free wigs, scarves and hats.

But the afternoon belonged to Julie. Glendale Mayor Frank Quintero presented her with a Mayor's Commendation. Glendale City Councilman and cancer survivor Laura Friedman was also on hand to congratulate Julie and lend a little moral support.