The Honorable Ralph M. Burnett, Jr., a district court judge in Maryland and tireless advocate for prostate cancer funding and education died of prostate cancer complications at the age of 64 on May 9th, 2007.

He was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 1996, and immediately began advocating funding for a cure for the disease. The following year he was elected to the board of the National Prostate Cancer Coalition, and served as their chair from 1999 to 2001. He is credited with being instrumental in doubling the federal funding for prostate cancer research, and tripling the size of the organization.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family, and the NPCC who will surely miss him.

Source: NPCC Mourns Loss of Former Chairman and Friend, Judge Ralph M. Burnett, Jr.. (online article)