Karen Eubanks Jackson
Karen Eubanks Jackson, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sisters Network® Inc. (SNI), has been named the recipient of the 2025 Patient Advocate Award by ASCO, Conquer Cancer, and the ASCO Foundation. The awards ceremony was held during the 2025 ASCO Annual Meeting. (See a video with Ms. Jackson filmed at the meeting on The ASCO Post Newsreels at ascopost.com/videos.)
“I am beyond proud and honored to be selected to receive the 2025 Patient Advocate Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology. For over 30 years, through my work with Sisters Network Inc., I have passionately advocated nationally for Black women to be educated about the Black breast cancer crisis, worked to empower my sisters to take action and be screened, and continue to provide the much-needed sisterhood of support through Sisters Network Inc. 25+ affiliate chapters in the United States,” said Ms. Jackson.
Under Ms. Jackson’s leadership, SNI has become the nation’s only national African American breast cancer survivorship organization, dedicated to raising awareness, providing support, and addressing the critical disparities Black women face in breast cancer care and outcomes. Her pioneering work has touched thousands of lives, empowering women to take charge of their health and access the resources they need to thrive.
Esteemed Group of Honorees
Ms. Jackson joins an esteemed group of 2025 ASCO Special Award honorees:
- Karen E. Knudsen, PhD, MBA: Allen Lichter Visionary Leader Award
- Susan M. Domchek, MD, FASCO: ASCO–American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Award
- Heidi Klepin, MD, MS: BJ Kennedy Award for Geriatric Oncology Endowed by Tony and Carrie Cheung
- Dawn L. Hershman, MD, MS, FASCO: David Karnofsky Science of Oncology Award
- Don S. Dizon, MD, FACP, FASCO: Excellence in Equity Award, Endowed by the American Cancer Society
- Ian E. Krop, MD, PhD: Gianni Bonadonna Breast Cancer Award
- Barbara L. McAneny, MD, MACP,FASCO: Humanitarian Award
- Christopher Flowers, MD, MS, FASCO: Jamie Von Roenn Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship Award
- Melissa Hudson, MD, FASCO: Pediatric Oncology Award
- Karen M. Mustian, PhD: Walther Cancer Foundation Supportive Oncology Award.
“The recipients of this year’s Special Awards have made tremendous contributions to the oncology community, advancing progress and improving outcomes for people with cancer around the world,” said Eric P. Winer, MD, FASCO, Past President of ASCO and Chair of the Joint Special Awards Selection Committee. “We are delighted to recognize their extraordinary achievements with ASCO’s highest honors.”
Eric P. Winer, MD, FASCO
“Receiving ASCO’s highest honors further validates the important work of Sisters Network Inc. and reinvigorates me to continue on my life mission to advocate for Black women to beat the breast cancer odds,” Ms. Jackson added.
More About SNI
Sisters Network Inc. was founded in 1994 by Ms. Jackson, a 31-year and four-time breast cancer survivor. SNI is a leading voice in the fight against breast cancer in the Black community. The national headquarters of Sisters Network Inc. is in Houston. The organization has more than 25 survivor-run affiliate chapters nationwide located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.sistersnetworkinc.org.
