This year marks the 20th annual Rex Lee Run Against Cancer.
The Simmons Center for Cancer Research (SCCR) commemorated what would have been the 80th birthday of the late Rex Lee with an appreciation dinner for those involved with cancer research at BYU. SCCR faculty and students gathered with members of Lee’s family and individuals from the community to celebrate the center’s research, to recognize the SCCR’s former director, and to honor Lee’s life.
The SCCR is one of seven basic laboratory cancer centers recognized by the National Cancer Institute. Donations to the Rex Lee Run fund student fellowships at the center, which allow students to work full-time as cancer researchers during spring and summer semesters.
The center performs cutting edge cancer research (SCCR faculty have been issued 20 patents) while still offering valuable experience to BYU students. Since 1998, 220 fellowships have been awarded, and 140 students have authored or coauthored published papers.
“Our primary focus is on students,” said SCCR director Dr. Merrill J. Christensen. “That’s what we do at BYU. Students are our first priority.”
Christensen also recognized the contributions of the center’s first director, Dr. Daniel L. Simmons, after whom it was renamed in November 2014. Dr. Simmons initiated a seminar series for students and founded the fellowship program during his tenure.
BYU Associate Academic Vice President Craig Hart addressed guests and thanked Dr. Simmons, faculty, and donors.
“What a remarkable program we have,” he said. “You can see the many benefits that have arisen, not only in terms of furthering cancer research, but also enlightening the lives of the students who have participated in it.
The program concluded with tributes to Rex Lee. Jim Bell, who coauthored the book Marathon of Faith with Lee and his wife, Janet, said that Lee worked hard in everything he did and that he always had a positive attitude. When Lee was first diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in 1987, the survival rate for five to ten years was 35 percent.
“Rex decided that he was going to be part of that 35 percent,” Bell said. “He looked at that as a large percentage and a great opportunity, and he beat that first battle with cancer and was one of the 35 percent.
Today, that survival rate is 70 percent. Bell attributed that increase to not only doctors and nurses but also everyone who has contributed to cancer research.
Thomas R. Lee, Associate Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court and Rex Lee’s son, thanked all those who support cancer research at BYU. He also said that the Rex Lee Run is a fitting tribute to his father, because it combines three things that were very important to him: running, cancer research, and BYU.
Thomas said that in recent years people have started to recognize who his father is and identify him with the Rex Lee Run.
“I’ll say, ‘Yep, that’s exactly who my dad was. He was the Rex Lee Run guy,’” he said. “I don’t think anything would have made him happier than to be remembered as the Rex Lee Run guy.”