Congratulations to our 2022 Spirit of Hope Award Honoree
The Spirit of Hope Award recognizes outstanding corporate, medical, and community partners of the American Cancer Society. The award is a prestigious local honor for individuals or organizations with extraordinary contributions to the fight against cancer through humanitarian efforts, distinguished service, and leadership.
Jeff Mader
Jeff Mader, Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer at Sun Country Airlines, has long been a champion for advocating and raising funds for cancer research. Since 2020, he has served as chair of the American Cancer Society Board serving Minnesota. He is also a co-founder of CIOs Against Cancer, a community of technology leaders that are changing the course of cancer by collaborating and leveraging their influence to raise awareness and funding for early-stage cancer research.
“I am honored to be selected as the 2022 Spirit of Hope recipient,” says Mader. “Fighting this terrible disease that impacts one of every two men and one of every three women during their lifetime is incredibly personal to me.”
Jeff has served as Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer at Sun Country Airlines since 2018. He previously served as CIO at Imagine! Print solutions and held senior leadership roles on the technology team at Target.
Jeff was diagnosed with Stage 3 kidney cancer in October 2017 that became Stage 4 kidney cancer six months later. He has outlived his initial stage for diagnosis and plans to keep it that way.
“Jeff has devoted so much of his time and effort to raising awareness and funds for cancer research,” says Jude Bricker, CEO of Sun Country Airlines. “His dedication, passion and determination make him a worthy recipient of this award. I am proud to call Jeff a colleague and applaud him for his ongoing leadership in the fight against cancer.”
“Jeff has been essential to our momentum in Minnesota, and we are incredibly grateful for his leadership,” says Anthony Bass, Senior Executive Director, American Cancer Society. “Jeff uses his personal story and experiences to connect with others in profound ways. He has helped us bond together as Board members making it possible for us to break new ground and try new things. He brings out the best in us through his personal generosity. It’s inspiring!”