|
LOS ANGELES – USC Norris
Comprehensive Cancer Center, one of the nation’s original
comprehensive cancer centers designated by the National
Cancer Institute in 1972, raised more than $2 million at its
2015 star-studded black tie gala fundraiser held October 10th
at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Beverly Hills. The event
honored philanthropists Dana and David Dornsife with the
Visionary Award and physician-scientist Parkash Gill,
M.D. who was recognized with the Research Innovation
Award for his ground-breaking cancer research as one of
USC’s elite team of scientific researchers. Funds
raised support the innovative cancer research at the
43-year-old USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center that
offers approximately 250 clinical cancer trials each year.
The honorary event hosts
included C.L. Max Nikias, president of the University of
Southern California; Carmen A. Puliafito, M.D., M.B.A., dean
of the Keck School of Medicine of USC; and Stephen B.
Gruber, M.D., PhD., M.P.H., director, USC Norris
Comprehensive Cancer Center. Raymond A. and Shauna Mirra of
RAM Capital were the evening’s presenting sponsor and
honorary chairs.
Dean Puliafito welcomed the
more than 500 guests before introducing the evening’s emcee,
Emmy Award-winning actor, comedian and “Saturday Night Live”
alum Dana Carvey. Dr. Gruber then took the stage to thank
the evening’s supporters, that included Ray and Shauna Mirra,
presenting sponsors and honors chairs, and Tom and Holly
Gores of Platinum Equity, the platinum sponsor for the
event. Dr. Gruber also spoke of the exceptional
research being done by the more than 200 world-class faculty
scientists at the USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
A highlight of the evening
was the presentation of the Norris Visionary Award to
Dana and David Dornsife. The Dornsifes, recognized as
international philanthropic leaders, were honored for their
advocacy and funding for cancer research and their help with
patient treatment, especially cancer patients who have a
clinical trial as their only option for treatment.
Dana Dornsife is president
and founder of Lazarex Cancer Foundation, whose mission is
to help end-stage cancer patients navigate their clinical
trial options and to provide financial support. She founded
the organization after losing a brother at age 48 to
pancreatic cancer. The Lazarex Cancer Foundation is
dedicating to bringing scientific and medical institutions
together with government to fund research and find faster
cures and treatments for cancer. David serves as vice
president of the Hedco Foundation, whose mission is health
and education improvement.
Both David and Dana Dornsife
are alumni of USC. David is a graduate of the USC Marshall
School of Business and Dana, a member of the USC Phi Kappa
Phi Honor Society. Their longtime transformative support of
the mission of USC includes being named donors of the USC
David and Dana Dornsife College of Letters Arts and Sciences
where David serves as chairman of the board and Dana is a
board member of the USC Brain and Creativity Institute at
the Dornsife College.
“Our honorees, David and
Dana Dornsife, are not only accomplished figures in their
respective professional
fields, but each is
personally dedicated to supporting the efforts to conquer
cancer and provide compassionate care to patients,”
said Stephen Gruber,
Director, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.
“We are honored to celebrate the Dornsifes for their
continued generosity to USC and to their commitment to our
mission.”
Honorary Chair Raymond Mirra
joined Gruber on stage to present the Research Innovation
Award to Parkash Gill, M.D.,
professor of Medicine and Pathology at the Keck School of
Medicine of USC. Dr. Gill’s laboratory at USC Norris
Comprehensive Cancer Center has an active translational
program to develop cancer therapeutics based on basic or
classic bench research.
“Dr. Gill’s
extraordinary research is supporting our mission to make
cancer a disease of the past,” said Dr. Gruber. “It is the
dedication of Dr. Gill and our entire university-based
research team that
continue to make USC Norris recognized as one of the top
cancer research centers in Los Angeles and the nation.”
Dana Carvey’s comedic
monologue led into the introduction of special guest Pierce
Brosnan. The actor who played James Bond, among other
memorable roles, was on hand to introduce his good friend
and multi-Grammy Award winner Don Henley. Currently touring
for his new album, Cass County, the founding member
of the Eagles and passionate environmental activist, Henley
brought the crowd to its feet with performances of classic
favorites All She Wants To Do Is Dance, Desperado and
Hotel California.
ABOUT USC NORRIS
COMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER
USC Norris Comprehensive
Cancer Center, part of Keck Medicine of USC, is designated
by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) as one of the eight
original comprehensive cancer centers created through the
National Cancer Act of 1971 and remains one of only 41 such
centers in the entire country. At the forefront of cancer
research and treatment, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer
Center serves as a major source of new knowledge on the
nature of cancer and on the most effective approaches to
preventing, diagnosing and treating the disease in its many
forms. USC Norris conducts translational research that
moves from the laboratory to the patient bedside, providing
advance care that saves lives.
For more information, visit
www.KeckMedicine.org
or
www.USCNorrisCancer.usc.edu .
|