Catherine Ivy, Founder and President of The Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation, received TGen’s John S. McCain Leadership Award, named for U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona and annually presented for leadership and dedication that have made a significant impact in the fight against disease and helping patients worldwide.

Ivy established her foundation in memory of her late husband Ben, who succumbed to glioblastoma. She has contributed tens of millions of dollars to TGen and other institutions, and has been instrumental in finding ways to bring major institutional collaborators together to fight this devastating brain cancer.

“I have had the opportunity to observe research institutions across the nation and around the globe, and TGen stands out because of its unique insights into the human genome and its impact on human health,” Ivy said. “The greatest thing I get from TGen is hope, because they are actively and successfully pursuing answers for patients.”

Dr. Jeffrey Trent, TGen President and Research Director, said “Catherine Ivy’s laser focus toward making a difference for patients with glioblastoma has been a call to arms for TGen to come along side her and work jointly across numerous projects over the past several years.”

Sen. McCain called Ivy “a truly great American” and praised the “outstanding work” of the Ivy Foundation: “The effort she has made through her Foundation and with Dr. Trent and TGen has been quite remarkable,” he said.