Amira Yunis Courage Award honorees illustrate, through their personal efforts and actions, sarcoma advocacy. These individuals are patients, survivors, caregivers, and advocates who inspire others by using their platform on behalf of sarcoma patients and survivors to create hope and a better life/or the sarcoma community. Many do not think they have done something special but who have inspired others and are making a difference/or sarcoma patients and their families. The Amira Yunis Courage Award honors patients who have demonstrated strength and perseverance in their sarcoma diagnosis.
Andrey Ivchenko
SAG Award-Nominated Actor & Sarcoma Survivor
Andrey Ivchenko is a SAG Award-nominated actor best known for his unforgettable role as Grigori, the formidable villain in Season 3 of the global Netflix hit Stranger Things. He has also appeared in popular series including Lucifer, Jane the Virgin, and Counterpart alongside J.K. Simmons. In film, audiences recognize him as Red Erik in xXx: The Return of Xander Cage with Vin Diesel, and as the lead villain Perseus in the global video game phenomenon Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.
Born and raised in Ukraine, Andrey left his home country at 18 after completing military service. He began his acting career in Toronto after living in Europe and the Middle East. His talent and drive quickly earned him roles in series such as Falling Skies, Nikita, and Transporter: The Series. Since relocating to Los Angeles, he has continued to build a dynamic career, with recent credits including Darkness of Man opposite Jean-Claude Van Damme, The Best Man with Luke Wilson and Dolph Lundgren, and a soon-to-be-released feature film starring Ron Perlman, Stephen Dorff, and Kelsey Grammer.
In 2024, Andrey was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer known as chondrosarcoma. Following an extensive surgery that involved removing half of his pelvis and replacing it with a custom 3D-printed titanium prosthetic, along with a full hip replacement, Andrey has emerged with a powerful sense of purpose.
Now in recovery, he is using his platform to raise awareness about sarcoma, honor the medical teams who saved his life, and bring hope to those navigating their own sarcoma journey.