Originally published January 06, 2016
Ms. Stovall was a tireless leader of the cancer survivorship movement, having served as President and CEO of the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) since 1992 and more recently as the organization’s Senior Health Policy Advisor. A 42-year cancer survivor herself, Ms. Stovall spent more than 30 years advocating for improved cancer care in the United States.
“To many of us—likely thousands—she was a trustworthy friend, a mentor, a collaborator, a visionary. Ellen was all of this and more, and always with a generous heart, a keen mind, a quick wit, and unswerving ethics. How fortunate we were to know her; how grateful we are for her thinking and her work for all cancer survivors,” said Sandy Welton, Chair of the NCCS Board, in a statement.
Ms. Stovall dedicated herself to patient advocacy and public service following her diagnosis with Hodgkin lymphoma at age 24. She survived two cancer recurrences during her lifetime and passed away from cardiac complications related to her previous cancer therapies.
