News reports from Loma Linda University Cancer Center, Adventist Health Glendale’s drive-in gala, Hawaii, Hungary and Oakwood Adventist Academy:

From LLUH — Loma Linda University Cancer Center has appointed three cancer researchers to lead the center’s commitment to premium cancer care through development of new methods of discovery and treatment.

Frankis Almaguel, PhD, MD, will serve as director of the Molecular Imaging and Therapeutics Research Program; Kim Payne, PhD, will serve as director of the Pediatric Leukemia Research Program; and Pramil Singh, DrPH, will serve as director of the Tobacco Cessation Research Program.

Outlook Newspapers reported on Adventist Health Glendale’s UNGala, the medical center’s first-ever drive-in gala fundraiser. The event was held on the rooftop of the Americana at Brand shopping and leisure destination in Glendale, California. The gala was attended by 200 guests who arrived in 140 cars. Guests were greeted with a bag full of movie snacks and flags that read “Congratulations Dr. Ronald and Mrs. Georgiana Wu.” The gala recognized the couple’s 52 years of service to the medical center. Those present stayed in their cars for the entire “no contact” fundraiser.

Honolulu’s KHON2 television reported that Oahu’s Adventist Health Castle was named by Newsweek Magazine as one of America’s top maternity hospitals. Newsweek worked with The Leapfrog Group, a safety and quality monitoring organization that evaluates U.S. health care facilities.

From ADRA Hungary/TEDNEWS (edited for length) – During the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 560 low-income families received food packages and 24 families received laptops for online education thanks to projects sponsored by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Hungary.

ADRA’s Quarantine Courier project provided nonperishable food, cleaning supplies and toiletries to low-income people who found themselves in crisis during the country’s lockdown.

ADRA also focused on helping students continue their education despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19. In mid-March, when all schools in Hungary closed and had to transition to digital education, ADRA recognised that low-income students would suffer. “Access to e-learning was a problem for many families because they had no suitable phone, tablet or computer to use,” says Sitkei.

ADRA in Hungary immediately began raising funds to purchase laptops that students could use to participate in online education. By the end of the second week of the school shutdown, ADRA had shipped refurbished laptops to schools in three countries. The schools distributed the laptops to disadvantaged students, who used them throughout the school year and then returned them to the school.

After receiving further donations of funds and equipment, ADRA was able to provide a total of 24 laptops to students in six communities. In many families several children used the machine, multiplying the impact of the programme.

Oakwood Adventist Academy celebrated the grand opening of its new high school building on August 9. WAFF48 reported the new campus features an elementary school, middle school, cafeteria and gym. The facility is 20,000 square feet and cost $4 million to construct. The school year will start with virtual learning due to the coronavirus pandemic.

According to the OAA Facebook page, guests attending the opening of the new campus included the Mayor of Huntsville, Tommy Battle; Councilman Will Culver, Huntsville City Council District 5; Dr. Leslie Pollard, President of Oakwood University; Pastor Benjamin Jones, President of South Central Conference and Pastor Carlton Byrd, Senior Pastor of Oakwood University Church and building chairperson. A ribbon-cutting ceremony gave special recognition to Elder and Mrs. Charles and Etta Dudley, supporters of the academy.

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