First Annual Rose Awards Ceremony & Gala

The Rose Awards Ceremony recognizes heroes who have inspired our community and others as they persevered through the challenges of their diagnosis with a brave and determined spirit.

An evening to remember

The inaugural event was held on February 20, 2020 at Del Paso Country Club. With more than 200 attending, the highly successful event raised nearly $150,000 to further the mission of Albie Aware.

Hosted by Nikki Laurenzo, Anchor at Ktxl Fox 40 News, images of the Rose Awards Ceremony & Gala can be viewed here.

Jim Bowman honored

This year’s honoree was Jim Bowman, a breast cancer survivor and family man. He was honored for his perseverance through his ordeal and for his willingness to discuss his journey. His positive attitude and humor took him the distance, accompanied by a stuffed goat given to him by a good friend after Jim referred to his cancer, “as the goat lying next to me.”

Jim introduced two other men in the audience who had also faced breast cancer and discussed how male breast cancer is very rare and that less than one percent of all breast cancer cases develop in men. He talked about how isolating the experience could have been and how he had to overcome the stigmatism of having “a woman’s disease.” He also spoke of how social support is so important. “I’m lucky to live in Sacramento and have a wonderful network and so many friends for support. How would anyone get through this without family?”

The unique story Jim told was tinged with sentiment and a great deal of humor despite having endured a double mastectomy and 20 months of high-dose chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Beginning in September of 2015, at age 59, Jim’s journey lasted 2 ½ years.

Watch a video of Jim’s speech here.

A mother’s son speaks

Matt Carson, son of Albie Carson, talked about his mom and said that he learned from his mother’s struggle, saying, “You have to be your own advocate. Make sure you ask more questions.” He also spoke of how strong his father, Doug Carson, was throughout the ordeal and how proud he is of him. Regarding Doug founding Albie Aware, Matt said, “You couldn’t have honored Mom more.” Matt also recited an inspirational poem, “What Cancer Cannot Do.” The poem was given to him by a nurse who was caring for Albie. View a video of Matt’s speech here.

Special Thank You

Albie Aware would like to thank Del Paso Country Club for hosting this event in style with great food, service, and for creating such a lovely setting. A special thanks goes to Doug Carson, Albie Aware Founder, and Melinda Carson for all they do and did to make this event possible. We would also like to thank all the sponsors of the event for making this wonderful event possible, including:

Presenting Sponsors – Porter Scott Attorneys, Bobbie & Joe Carcione, Darcy Ketchum & Mike Lien, Dorothy & Norm Lien and an Anonymous donor.
Platinum Sponsor – Socotra, Pat Ingolia
Gold Sponsors – The Bowman Family, Carson Landscape Industries, River City Petroleum, Inc., Capital Builder’s Hardware, Inc, Nancy & Hank Fisher Family Fund
Silver Sponsors – Golden One Credit Union, SAFE Credit Union, Western Health Advantage, Jill & Dennis Dalton, Anne & Chris Jacobs, The Don Turner Family, Melena Adams and Enlo Ose Fund, The Party Concierge, Comstock’s Magazine
Bronze Sponsors – Andrew Lundholm, CPA, Cathy & Bruce Levering, Devon & Francine Atlee, McHugh Koepke and Associates, Big Hairy Dog, Chuck & Sally Sylva, Greg & Carol Kassis, Stacy & Leland Crawford, Sean Miner Winery, Fiore Family Vineyards.

Planning for next year

Albie Aware Executive Director Amanda Nelson thanks the sponsors who made this wonderful event possible, as well as all those who attended. She says they are already searching for next year’s recipient.