James Conner Courage Award: A Legacy of Strength
The James Conner Courage Award is presented annually at the Dr. Stanley M. Marks Blood Cancer Research Dinner to a blood cancer patient who demonstrates extraordinary strength, perseverance and positivity during treatment.
The annual Marks Research Dinner began 10 years ago - the same year that James Conner first walked into UPMC Hillman Cancer Center and was introduced to his medical oncologist, Dr. Marks.
Conner was living every athlete's dream-dominating the football field as a standout running back for the Pitt Panthers after signing on in 2012. By 2014, his statistics on the field earned him high honors off the field. He was named the Player of the Year by the Atlantic Coast Conference and awarded First-Team All-American honors from the American Football Coaches Association.
Everything changed in 2015.
While recovering from a torn MCL, Conner was fatigued and short of breath. He noticed a lump on his neck. It was an X-ray that confirmed a life-altering diagnosis: Stage 2 Hodgkin's lymphoma.
A new journey would begin.
Conner had twice monthly chemotherapy treatments for six months. He treated his cancer diagnosis as an opponent on the field. At the time, he said that 'fear was a choice' and he chose - to fight back.
The UPMC Hillman care team was amazed at his heart-warming smile and positive personality as he arrived for his chemotherapy treatment and chatted with other cancer patients there.
Remarkably, after many of those treatment sessions, Conner would head straight to the Pitt football practice field. Wearing a protective surgical mask to shield his weakened immune system, he pushed through non-contact drills with his teammates. His determination stunned his coach, Pat Narduzzi, and his care team alike.
Conner not only survived-he thrived. Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and now a key player for the Arizona Cardinals, his football career continues to flourish 10 years later.
In honor of his extraordinary resolve, the as-yet unnamed Courage Award was presented first to James Conner in 2016. In accepting the award, Conner noted that Dr. Marks and UPMC Hillman saved his life.
His remarkable and powerful story of resilience continues to ripple outward in ways that go far beyond football. For that reason, the award was officially named the James Conner Courage Award. Now presented annually, it recognizes blood cancer patients who display uncommon strength and perseverance during treatment-just as James did.
Each recipient carries forward Conner's powerful message: "Fear is a choice.". And through their courage, they inspire others to fight-and win-their own battles.
2025 James Conner Courage Award Winner: Meghan Milligan
Meghan Milligan
Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Oct. 2018
Meghan Milligan has always been passionate about sports and athletics. A dedicated runner since high school, she's now 35 and actively competes in endurance events. She has completed seven marathons, numerous sprint triathlons, a half Ironman, and is currently training for her first full Ironman in Maryland later this year.
What makes Meghan's story extraordinary is that she has trained for and competed in these grueling events while undergoing treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma-not once, but three times over the past seven years. Through it all, she has remained determined, upbeat and inspiring, always wearing her signature smile.
2024 James Conner Courage Award Recipient
Abby Hudak
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, July 2022
In July of 2022, Abby Hudak was a 31-year-old Pittsburgh native getting ready to move to the west coast to start a new path for her future. Unfortunately, her life quickly and dramatically changed.
After several episodes of vision black outs, Abby went to a local emergency department and was immediately flown to UPMC Shadyside where she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), a rare cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow.
2023 James Conner Courage Award Recipient
John Henson
Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Oct. 2019
John Henson lives on the edge of extreme danger. As an 18-year veteran of the Pittsburgh City Police force, he has spent 13 years as a narcotics detective and member of the exclusive SWAT team. This tight group responds to violent crimes and gang activity. They position themselves high above large events scouring for potential mass killings and were first on the scene at the devastating Tree of Life Synagogue massacre in 2019.
None of that was as terrifying to John as hearing the words 'You Have Cancer' in February 2020.
2022 James Conner Courage Award Recipient
Carrie Richards
Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Oct. 2019
Carrie Richards spends her days working alongside Dr. Stan Marks at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center in the Mario Lemieux Center for Blood Cancer.
As a collaborative practice nurse, she is often the one who spends the most time talking to patients and guiding them through scheduling tests, learning results, getting answers to questions about symptoms and even insurance. She is a total resource for patients. However, in October 2019, her knowledge of blood cancer led to a self-diagnosis.
2021 James Conner Courage Award Recipient
Cathy Doyle
Acute Myeloid Leukemia, 2016
First patient in UPMC Hillman-developed clinical trial
On any given day, you will find Cathy Doyle happily playing with and caring for her four grandchildren. Her entire family, which includes her two children, their spouses, her husband, and her nine brothers and sisters are extremely close, and most live nearby right in the Pittsburgh region.
That family rallied around Cathy when four years ago, she was fighting for her life following a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), a rare type of blood cancer that forms in the bone marrow and rapidly progresses.
2019 James Conner Courage Award Recipient
Harrison Brown
Hodgkin's Lymphoma, 2016
Autologous Stem Cell Transplant, 2017
Allogenic Stem Cell Transplant, 2018
In 2016, Harrison Brown was preparing for his Freshman season with the South Fayette Football Team. This southern Pittsburgh school district has had several championship seasons and Harrison was ready to start his high school football career as a defensive tackle and center for the Lions.
This year, 2019, Harrison will be a senior. It will mark the first time he will put on his school football uniform to join his teammates on the field.
2018 James Conner Courage Award Recipient
Jimmy Hernandez Valencia
B cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia, 2013
Haploidentical Stem Cell Transplant, 2016
Jimmy Hernandez was first diagnosed with cancer following his high school graduation in 2013. At the urging of his girlfriend and her mother, Jimmy went to the emergency room and was immediately taken by ambulance to UPMC Shadyside Hospital. For two months, Jimmy underwent intensive chemotherapy treatment, while his family kept a constant vigil at his bedside.
Jimmy's leukemia returned in 2016 almost three years to the date of his initial diagnosis. This time, a stem cell transplant was needed to replace his unhealthy cancerous cells with healthy, blood-forming cells from a donor. The best results involve someone with a 100 percent match. But recent medical advances have shown that a 50 percent match or a haploidentical donor can be used. That donor is usually a parent or in some cases a sibling.
2017 James Conner Courage Award Recipient
Darran Dunlap, Leukemia Survivor
Darran was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) on November 7, 2016. She complained of leg pain a few days prior and after a night of uncontrolled leg pain, her family took her to the Emergency Department on November 6. She showed no other symptoms and was laughing, playing and acting like a normal five-year-old right up until her diagnosis. It was only a few hours later that her family received the initial diagnosis - Leukemia.
Darran was admitted to Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh that day and scheduled for tests in the morning to confirm the diagnosis. Since then life has been such a whirlwind.
2016 James Conner Courage Award Recipient
James Conner accepts the newly named "James Connor Courage Award."
James Connor
Leukemia Survivor
James Conner was honored at the 2016 Stanley M. Marks, MD Golf Classic and it was that year that the annual Courage Award was renamed in his honor. In 2015, as a junior running back for the University of Pittsburgh, James was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. This young man never stopped his drive to return to the football field. After many rounds of chemotherapy, he would show up for practice with a surgical mask protecting him from infection, and power through the drills leading his teammates to coin the phrase "Conner Strong." His return to the field was inspiring and his tenacity, strength and work ethic eventually caught the eyes of the Pittsburgh Steelers where James was successfully drafted and now in the running back position.