Wistar Institute Honors Allan ‘Bud’ Selig
The Wistar Institute honored Allan “Bud” Selig, the commissioner of Major League Baseball, as the 2014 recipient of Wistar’s President’s Award on Wednesday, May 28th, at a luncheon at the Diamond Club at Citizen Bank Park. The President’s Award recognizes a public figure who has been personally touched by cancer, and who advocates for improvements in cancer education and research.
In 2004 at the age of 70, Selig was diagnosed with level-4 melanoma when a skin legion was discovered as part of a routine yearly examination. After it was removed, he was given a clean bill of health. During his acceptance speech, he talked about how this life-changing event inspired him to become a cancer ambassador and spread the word about melanoma and getting regular dermatologist checkups.
He also spoke about how proud he was that the MLB has embraced his cause, as well as many charity causes where players and owners give back through their good works. No one does a better job than the Phillies, he said, and he listed many of the players’ charity organizations. He spoke about Phillies co-owner David Montgomery, who is dealing with his own cancer diagnosis right now. Selig went on to say that there was no better man you could meet than David Montgomery, whom he described as compassionate, kind, and honorable.
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HughE Dillon covers parties, events and more for Philadelphia magazine’s The Scene. You can follow him on Twitter at @iPhillyChitChat and visit his daily online social diary PhillyChitChat.com.