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WHAT:
Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF),
a nonprofit organization founded by Michael
Milken dedicated to identifying and funding groundbreaking
cancer research programs, hosted the 2017
New York Dinner at Cipriani
42nd Street New York. Legendary actress,
comedian, and television host Whoopi
Goldberg served as guest host for the event. The evening
concluded with a stunning performance by Grammy and Academy
Award-winning singer Jennifer
Hudson. Proceeds from the event will support the partnership
between the PCF and the Department
of Veterans Affairs
(VA) to provide precision oncology to all veterans by
establishing eleven centers of excellence. By providing access
to their more than 9 million patient records, PCF researchers
will be able to discover new and better treatments that will
impact all prostate cancer patients.
Notable attendees included: Michael and Lori
Milken, Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Hudson, Laurie and Peter
Grauer, Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez, Dr. David Shulkin,
Julia and David Koch,
Spencer Segura, Candace Bushnell, Jim Coleman, Debra and Leon
Black, Seth Bernstein, Nina Grauer, Plum and Dr.
Jonathan Simons, Andrew von Eschenbach, Toni and Dr.
Stuart Holden, Tina Storper, Larry Leeds, Bonnie Pfeifer Evans,
Kristen and David
Steinberg, Mitchell Modell, Maria and Kenneth
Fishel, Debbie and Cliff
Robbins, Camille andLarry
Ruvo, and Tammy and Keith
Frankel.
The
evening kicked off with Michael
Milken and guest host Whoopi
Goldberg outlining the evening’s three themes: Women in
Science, Big Data, and Family. (“What do you think of Big Data?”
asked Milken. “I don’t know, maybe I should spend some time with
him,” quipped Goldberg). After a beautiful rendition of the
national anthem sung by army veteran Constance
Campbell, guests learned about the ways PCF supports
young female researchers through the PCF
Young Investigator program. The Big Data portion of the
evening included a speech by Dr.
David Shulkin, Secretary of Veteran Affairs, who was
presented by Dr. Jonathan
Simons, PCF President
and CEO. Dr. Shulkin spoke
on the VA’s commitment
to transformation and modernization, including aggressively
attacking prostate cancer, the most common form of cancer among
veterans. The theme of Family was exemplified by the night’s
honorees, Peter and Laurie Grauer, who were recognized for their
commitment to cancer research and dedication to increasing the
number of women in leadership positions, both in science and
beyond. The evening concluded with a rousing performance by
Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer Jennifer
Hudson, who sang hit songs including “Love You I Do,”
“Spotlight,” “And I am Telling You,” and a Whitney Houston
medley that got the crowd to their feet.
Live
auctions for the evening included the Home Run Challenge, a
national baseball tour with Michael
Milken in his private plane, and the Party Like A Rockstar
package, including four tickets to the Billboard Music Awards,
access to the event’s rehearsal and after party, and a two-night
stay at the Wynn Las Vegas. Silent auction items and events
included Coachella 2018 as a guest of Beyonce; two tickets to
the Super Bowl; accessories by Christian Louboutin and Louis
Vuitton; dinner with George Clooney and more. Throughout the
evening, military veteran guests in the audience were
recognized. Additionally, seven of the organization’s VA Network
Centers of Excellence received funding through the generous
donations of attendees. AllianceBernstein CEO Seth
Bernstein’s table, which included guests Jennifer
Lopez and Alex Rodriguez,
donated a total of $1 million to the PCF
Young Investigator program.
PCF’s
Board of Directors includes business leaders such as Andrew
J. Astrachan, James Blair, Steve
Burd, Peter Grauer, David H. Koch, Honorable Earle Mack, Neil
Rodin, Andrew von Eschenbach, MD; Drew Pinsky, MD; and radio
and television host Clark
Howard.
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