On Friday, September 27, 2024, The Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara (BCRC) will present its inaugural “Healing through Compassion Award” to Dr. Fred Kass at the PINK LOUNGE Gala. This prestigious award, named in his honor, has been established to recognize individuals whose commitment transcends medical expertise to work in collaboration with and encompass the holistic needs of patients.
Dr. Fred Kass, an esteemed oncologist and advocate, graduated from medical school in 1984. He completed his internal medicine residency at Yale (1984-1987) and an oncology fellowship at Harvard (1987-1990). Before pursuing medicine, Dr. Kass practiced law in New York City and Washington, D.C., from 1974 to 1976.
Dr. Kass was recruited from Harvard’s Dana Farber Cancer Institute to work at the Santa Barbara Cancer Center in 1990. Kass was part of an independent medical oncology practice affiliated with the Cancer Foundation. Later, the medical group joined Sansum Clinic and helped raise money to build the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center (RTCC). He was integral to the establishment of RTCC and served as Director of Medical Oncology before most recently joining the faculty at UCLA Health, Oncology in Santa Barbara.
In 1996, Dr. Susan Love invited Dr. Kass to join a group that was convened to create, among other things, a community resource center to support women with breast cancer in Santa Barbara. In 1997 the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara was officially established.
Over the years Dr. Kass has been affiliated with and/or served on the Boards of other health care non-profits. He currently serves on the Board of VNA Health and was a part of the group that raised money to build the new SB Neighborhood Clinics Westside facility. He was also chair of the Cottage Hospital Medical Advisory Panel.
Dr. Kass and Sarah Kass raised their two children in Santa Barbara and will celebrate 40 years of marriage in 2025. They met while in medical school, and Sarah worked for many years in the County OB Clinic doing obstetrical ultrasound. Their son Zack graduated from San Marcos High and Berkeley and now works as an artificial intelligence consultation internationally and lives in town. Their daughter Bryn also lives in Santa Barbara with her husband and her almost two- yea-old son and works in HR at Sonos.
Dr. Kass’ collaborative spirit, coupled with his profound compassion, underscores the transformative power of unity in healing journeys. His exemplary medical proficiency not only elevates standards of care but also inspires a profound sense of hope and resilience within the breast cancer care ecosystem.
The “Dr. Fred Kass Healing through Compassion Award” will be awarded in recognition for exceptional dedication to interagency collaboration, compassionate healing, volunteerism, advocacy, and medical excellence in the treatment of breast cancer. It celebrates individuals like Dr. Kass, whose dedication not only elevates care standards but also fosters hope and unity within the breast cancer care community.
“I am extraordinarily honored to accept the inaugural ‘Healing through Compassion Award.’” shares Dr. Kass. “There is no therapy more restorative than compassionate human connection. From its very beginning 27 years ago, the Breast Cancer Resource Center has embraced and empowered patients and their families, recognizing that medical treatments are most effective when they are combined with emotional support and community. I accept this award on behalf of so many colleagues and partners whose mission is to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care to those in our midst who have been struck by breast disease. My hope is that this award will both inspire and affirm, recognizing that we all have the power to make a difference in each other’s lives when we recognize the incredible healing power of compassionate care.”
The award presentation will take place at the BCRC’s PINK LOUNGE GALA, a one-night event that kicks off PINK WEEK on Friday, September 27th, at Rosewood Miramar Beach. PINK WEEK and the PINK LOUNGE GALA will help raise much needed funds to continue providing essential free services at the BCRC.
“Dr. Kass has significantly affected many individuals and families in our community. His exceptional medical expertise is complemented by his kind, bedside manner and as a patient you feel that he is there for you to get through the long yards. Dr. Kass has always believed in the mission of the BCRC, and we are thrilled to honor and recognize the example he sets by showing us how the transformative power of compassionate care can inspire hope not only in patients but for all those caring for the community,” says Silvana Kelly, Executive Director of BCRC.
The BCRC, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1997 provides vital support to individuals facing breast cancer diagnosis and treatment. BCRC provides resources and information, peer counseling, support groups, wellness programs and integrative therapies. All services remain free of charge to clients. The BCRC is located at 55 Hitchcock Way, in Santa Barbara and is funded solely through its fundraising events and devoted donor base.
Call BCRC for details 805-569-9693 or visit https://www.bcrcsb.org/pinkweek/ for more information.