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ROAR Check Presentation on April 4, 2024ROAR presented UAB Department of Radiation Oncology Chair James A. Bonner with a check for $500,000 for cancer research on April 4, 2024, at the Greystone Country Club in Birmingham. (Credit: Amy W. Richardson)

Radiation Oncology Accelerated Research (ROAR) hit a fundraising record raising $500,000 for the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology cancer research programs at the 13th annual ROAR James Bond Gala.

ROAR presented the proceeds to Chair James A. Bonner, M.D., at an appreciation celebration on April 4 at the Greystone Country Club in Birmingham.

More than 380 people from the local community and beyond attended this year’s gala on Jan. 13, making it one of the most successful fundraising events in ROAR history.

“We are so impressed by the amazing support and generosity of our local community,” said 2023-24 ROAR President Mona Stephens. “This gala was our most successful fundraiser to date with a record turnout that exceeded our expectations. We are honored to be able to donate the most proceeds we’ve ever raised from this event to cancer research at UAB and look forward to our next gala in January.”

Established in 2009, ROAR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit led by volunteers with a mission to raise money for cancer research programs in the UAB Department of Radiation Oncology. Funds raised from the annual gala are matched dollar for dollar by the department and used to fund cancer research conducted by its faculty and researchers.

“We commend and thank the ROAR volunteer group for their tremendous fundraising efforts,” said UAB Department of Radiation Oncology Chair James A. Bonner, M.D. “We are impressed each year by the planning that goes into making the annual gala such an exciting and successful event for our department and our community. We thank ROAR for their continued support of our department’s research mission.”

ROAR credited local Birmingham businessman Pat Lynch, 2024 gala honoree, with helping the group reach its record-setting half a million dollars for cancer research.

“We were very proud to honor Pat Lynch for his exceptional contributions and commitment to eradicate cancer,” said ROAR second vice president and gala chair Julie Kim. “As a community leader, respected businessman and a recent cancer survivor, Pat has demonstrated strength and courage in the face of an unforgiving disease and has come out on the other side with hope and positivity.”

Planning for next year’s gala is already underway. The 14th annual ROAR gala will be held Jan. 18, 2025, at The Club. Visit roarthecure.org for more information. 

 ROAR Faculty 2024UAB Department of Radiation Oncology faculty members at the 2024 ROAR James Bond Gala on Jan. 13 at The Club in Birmingham. (Credit: carnaggiophoto)