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Norway

King Harald handed out King Olav V Cancer Research Award

In 1992, the year after King Olav’s death, King Harald of Norway established a new prize for cancer research in honour of his late father, and this week, Bjarne Bogen and Bjørn Tore Gjertsen were awarded King Olav V’s Cancer Research Prize for 2020 and 2021.

His Majesty the King was responsible for the solemn presentation of the award.

Professor Bjarne Bogen received the award for 2020 for his outstanding work, which, among other things, has contributed to the development of a world-leading cancer vaccine. Bjarne Bogen is a professor at the University of Oslo and chief physician at Oslo University Hospital. Bjørn Tore Gjertsen received the Cancer Research Award 2021 for his world-leading research on aggressive blood cancer. Gjertsen is chief physician at Haukeland University Hospital and professor at the University of Bergen.

King Harald presented the awards during a ceremony in the university’s auditorium in Oslo on the evening of 18 October. The ceremony started with a strong appeal from Anniken Golf Rokseth. At the age of 23, she was diagnosed with cancer, and she has overcome it three times. She thanked the researchers in the room for her life and the ability to have a child of her own. Three months ago, she and her husband became the parents of a daughter.

The famous Norwegian artist and musician Ingrid Bjørnov created humour for reflection from the grand piano; she too is grateful for pioneering cancer research and for being cancer-free. The prize winners each gave a speech of thanks at the end of the event.

The King Olav V Cancer Research Foundation was established in 1992 by King Harald and the Norwegian Cancer Society in memory of King Olav V. It awards a prize of 1,000,000 Norwegian kroner each year to a Norwegian cancer researcher or researchers who have contributed to the promotion of Norwegian cancer research.

About author

Senior Europe Correspondent Oskar Aanmoen has a master in military and political history of the Nordic countries. He has written six books on historical subjects and more than 1.500 articles for Royal Central. He has also interview both Serbian and Norwegian royals. Aanmoen is based in Oslo, Norway.