Gordon Klatt

Gordon Klatt, M.D. (1942-2014) was a practicing surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, and the founder of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.

Gordon Klatt
Born
1942
Died2014
NationalityAmerican
EducationUniversity of Minnesota Medical School
OccupationSurgeon
Known forFounder of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life
Medical career
Sub-specialtiesColorectal cancer and colorectal surgery
AwardsTacoma Rotary Club No. 8 Community Service Award, St. Thomas University Humanitarian Award, Stillwater Area High School Distinguished Alumni Award

He had special expertise in two areas, including colorectal cancer and colorectal surgery.[1] He was credited as the founder of the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life.[2]

Background and education

After serving three years as a United States Army surgeon, Dr. Klatt returned to school and became a colorectal specialist.[3] He received his medical degree in 1968 from the University of Minnesota Medical School.[4] Dr. Klatt completed his internship at Fitzsimons Army Medical Center in Aurora, Colorado, his residency at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, and his fellowship at the University of Minnesota.[5] He is a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons.[6]

Relay For Life

In the mid-1980s, Dr. Klatt expressed interest in helping raise funds for his local American Cancer Society. He decided he would raise money by doing something he enjoyed—running marathons. In May 1985, Dr. Klatt circled the track for a total of more than 83 miles at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for 24 hours. Friends and family donated $25 to run or walk certain lengths with him. That year, he raised $27,000. While he ran, nearly 300 friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the track.[7] While he was running, Dr. Klatt began making plans on how the event could be even bigger in future years. Throughout the next year, he, along with an event committee, developed plans for the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.[8] In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay event and raised $33,000. Since then, Dr. Klatt’s idea has turned into more than 5,200 Relay For Life events across the United States that have raised nearly $5 billion. The American Cancer Society also licenses twenty non-governmental cancer organizations in other countries to hold Relay For Life events.[9]

Cancer diagnosis

In March 2012, Dr. Klatt was diagnosed with stomach cancer, and he participated that year in Relay For Life for the first time as a cancer survivor. When he was diagnosed, he received a number of supportive letters and e-mails from around the world, and he spoke during the opening ceremonies at the Relay For Life of Tacoma, Washington.[10] He died August 3, 2014, at the age of 71 from heart failure after battling stomach cancer.

Awards and recognition

Dr. Klatt has been recognized by a number of organizations including the Tacoma Rotary Club No. 8 with their Community Service Award[11] and St. Thomas University, his alma mater, with the Humanitarian Award.[12] His high school alma mater, Stillwater Area High School in Stillwater, Minnesota, recognized him in 1995 with the Distinguished Alumni Award.[13] Dr. Klatt was inducted into the Relay For Life Hall of Fame in 2007.[14] In 2008, he was recognized with a Community Impact Award from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.[15] He has also been honored with Patients’ Choice Awards from PatientsChoice.org in 2009, 2012 and 2013.[16] In 2013, Dr. Klatt and other Relay For Life volunteers in Tacoma were recognized in the Tacoma Hometown Heroes program with the Community Partnership Award for their 27 years of dedication to the Relay For Life movement.[17]

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References
  1. "Dr. Gordon Klatt, M.D." Vitals.com. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  2. McCrary, Elissa (April 25, 2013). "Dr. Gordy Klatt, Founder of American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, Will Participate in New Vinings-Smyrna Georgia Relay Event on May 31". American Cancer Society, South Atlantic Division. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  3. "Tacoma oncologist who started Relay for Life continues to work while fighting own cancer, inspired by patients". The News Tribune. 2012-10-28. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  4. "Gordy Klatt". LinkedIn. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  5. "Dr. Gordon R. Klatt, M.D." Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  6. "Gordon Klatt, M.D". Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  7. "Run Walk Ride Pioneers: Gordy Klatt, Relay for Life". Archived from the original on November 7, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  8. "Who is Gordy Klatt?". Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  9. "Dr. Gordy Klatt". Relay For Life. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  10. Bauman, Valerie (June 5, 2012). "Tacoma doctor and founder of Relay for Life diagnosed with cancer". Puget Sound Business Journal. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  11. "Dr. Gordon Klatt honored – and still working, thanks". Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  12. "Gordy Klatt Honored!". Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  13. "Distinguished Alumni". Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  14. "Relay Milestones". Archived from the original on July 26, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  15. "ACSRS News Winter 2010 Final" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-30. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  16. "Health Doctors". Retrieved November 1, 2013.
  17. "Hometown Heroes". Tacoma Weekly. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved November 1, 2013.
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