Groundbreaking New Series Selects One of Philly's Finest Legends, Dr. Audrey Evans as a MODERN HERO
PHILADELPHIA, June 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Audrey Evans is a world-renowned oncologist whose career has spanned more than 60 years. As the co-founder of the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House (1974), the first Ronald McDonald House in the world that led to the creation of Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the co-founder of St. James School (2011), a faith-based middle school for under-resources youth, her efforts have impacted the lives of millions across the world. Now at 92-years-old, her legacy is being celebrated by the awe-inspiring new digital series, Modern Hero, which features groundbreaking women who are making a difference in their careers and in the world.
Susan Campbell, Executive Director of the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, nominated Dr. Evans as her Modern Hero for her unparalleled work in the fields of medicine and philanthropy. "Dr. Evans is an extraordinary woman," commented Campbell. "I find her to be an inspiration and someone that not only has given back to her community, but has truly impacted the world and has a legacy." In 1971 Dr. Evans developed the revolutionary Evans Staging System, which analyzes cancer progression to determine the best treatment plans for kids battling Neuroblastoma, one of the most common solid tumors in childhood cancer. She's been credited for decreasing mortality rates by 50% for Neuroblastoma patients, earning her the moniker the Mother of Neuroblastoma. Susan continues, "And it's not a legacy that's just in one area, and I think that's what makes it so unique." That legacy includes more than 360 Ronald McDonald Houses in 63 countries that have served more than seven million families.
At 92-years-young, Dr. Evans has no sign of slowing down. Whether she's fundraising for organizations she cares about or participating in other philanthropic efforts, Dr Evans wants to be remembered for one thing - "Audrey Evans: A woman who cared."
Journalist and Modern Hero host, Julia Fisher Farbman added, "Dr. Evans epitomizes Modern Hero in every way. Our team is elated that her story on Facebook has garnered nearly a half million views and thousands of shares in just a few short days, with no sign of slowing down." She continued, "All I can say is, thank you Dr. Evans, for being an inspiration and a Modern Hero to so many."
Her Story on Modern Hero:
Modern Hero:
Modern Hero is a new digital series that celebrates incredible women who are defying the odds, shattering glass ceilings, and making a difference in their careers and in the world. These women are educators, businesswomen, nonprofit leaders, media personalities, and everyone in between, proving that role models come from all walks of life. The series takes an interactive approach by having the audience AND the women featured nominate their Modern Heroes, many of whom are then interviewed by journalist, Julia Fisher Farbman. The goal is to inspire young girls and women to dream big and not let gender norms hold them back from success.
To nominate someone as a Modern Hero, email: nominations@modernherotv.com
Series Website:
www.readysetproductions.com/modernherotv
Audrey Evans Bio:
Audrey Evans was born in York, England in 1925, and knew from the time she was five-years-old that she wanted to be a doctor. Despite contracting tuberculosis in high school and being quarantined in the hospital for a year, Evans still graduated and was accepted to the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh. Throughout her studies and residencies she was often outnumbered by her male counterparts, but that didn't stop Evans from skyrocketing to the top of her peer group with her undeniable ability to relate to patients, parents, and medical staff alike. After stints at Boston Children's Hospital, Johns Hopkins, Royal Infirmary Teaching Hospital, and the Hematology-Oncology unit at University of Chicago, she ultimately found her home in Philadelphia when she was recruited by former United States Surgeon General, C. Everett Koop, to be the first Chief of Pediatric Oncology at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia [CHOP]. She later founded The Children's Cancer Center and spent the remaining 20 years of her medical career at CHOP.
Her career has been filled with major milestones, including developing the Evans Staging System in 1971, which analyzes cancer progression to determine the best treatment plans for kids battling Neuroblastoma, one of the most common solid tumors in childhood cancer. For her vast work in the field, she's been credited for decreasing mortality rates by 50% for Neuroblastoma patients, earning herself the moniker of The Mother of Neuroblastoma.
In 1974 Dr. Evans and Jimmy Murray, the former general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, co-founded the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, the first in the world, which led to the creation of Ronald McDonald House Charities [RMHC] to provide lodging, resources and care to children and families in need. Since opening, Ronald McDonald House Charities now span more than 63 countries, have more than 360 locations worldwide, and have served over seven million families and counting. Ronald McDonald House Charities have also opened camps, hospitality rooms in hospital wings, and are launching Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles, which are mobile medical units serving communities that don't yet have Ronald McDonald House programs.
After an unrivaled medical career that spanned six decades, Dr. Evans briefly retired in 2009 at the age of 84. Her retirement only lasted two short years, and in 2011 she co-founded the St. James School that aims to break to cycle of poverty through providing under-resourced youth with an extended school year.
At 92-years-old she shows no sign of slowing down, and is determined to help the lives of children and families everywhere.
Ronald McDonald House Charities:
In 1974 Dr. Audrey Evans and Jimmy Murray, the former general manager of the Philadelphia Eagles, co-founded the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House, the first in the world, which led to the creation of Ronald McDonald House Charities [RMHC] to provide lodging, resources and care to children and families in need.
Since opening, RMHC now spans more than 63 countries, has more than 360 locations, and has served over seven million families. The organization also opened camps, hospitality rooms in hospital wings, and are launching Ronald McDonald Care Mobiles, which are mobile medical units serving communities that don't yet have Ronald McDonald House programs.
Website: www.rmhc.org
St. James School
St. James School is a faith-based Philadelphia middle school in the Episcopal tradition, committed to educating traditionally under-resourced students in a nurturing environment. The school is a community that provides a challenging academic program and encourages the development of the moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical and creative gifts in its students.
Website: www.stjamesphila.org
Press Inquiries:
Irene McNulty
Press@readysetproductions.com
610.234.0092
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SOURCE MODERN HERO
