Dear Friends & Colleagues:
Frances Ross has been an essential part of the Kentucky Cancer Registry (KCR) since its inception. For nearly 37 years, she has led efforts in cancer surveillance operations through the promotion of uniform data standards, providing education and training, and ensuring complete, high quality and timely registry data. Frances began her career at the Markey Cancer Center in July 1981. As the very first KCR employee hired by Dr. Gil Friedell, she led the development of a data management system that permitted KCR to begin as a voluntary registry in 1984. Her efforts were instrumental to the formal establishment of KCR by the Kentucky State Legislature in 1990. She played a key role in the design and implementation of the Cancer Patient Data Management System, the expansion of KCR’s data collection and data quality activities through the CDC National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) in 1994 and the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program in 2000. Frances has mentored cancer registrars throughout Kentucky and has fostered their dedication to standards of excellence and a sense of camaraderie among their ranks. Frances’ leadership has propelled KCR to become a national model for the procurement of high-quality cancer registry data that has been extensively utilized for cancer prevention and control throughout Kentucky and a prized resource for research.
Frances’ wisdom and skills have been shared with the broader cancer surveillance community through her service to the North American Association of Central Registries (NAACCR). She has served on countless committees, work groups, and two elected terms on the Board of Directors. Frances established a reputation as a frank and honest advocate for meaningful data standards and a no-nonsense pragmatic approach to cancer surveillance activities. She helped establish the NAACCR Member Recognition Award Series in 2004 and was awarded the Constance L. Percy Award for Distinguished Service in 2010. Equally important to her contributions to NAACCR, her friendships with NAACCR colleagues run deep. In Frances’ own words, “We really have a great professional community that we belong to. Amazing, caring people, and now actually all working together, listening to each other. We take our work seriously and have great fun doing it.”
After many years of dedicated service, Frances has planned to retire at the end of April. Frances’ and her husband Ed’s daughter, Hannah, is expecting their first grandchild later this spring. Recently, however, Frances has been diagnosed with advanced stage cancer.
In light of this news, we are inviting you to participate with us in establishing the “Frances E. Ross Scholarship Fund” for their grandchild, to honor and thank Frances for all her years of leadership at the Kentucky Cancer Registry and volunteering for our professional organizations.
Frances has been a shining example of dedicated work and commitment to excellence. She has been a leader, mentor, confidant, and friend to many. Let us celebrate her and her extraordinary accomplishments.
With appreciation,
The Kentucky Cancer Registry at the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center
If you would like to send your donation via check, please make the checks out to NAACCR and send to 2050 W Iles Ave. Suite A, Springfield, IL 62704.