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The 24th Annual Collaborating for a Cure
Gala, one of New York City’s
much-anticipated Autumn charity events, made its grand
return at downtown’s Cipriani Wall Street. Aptly
themed Together Again, the 24th Annual
fundraiser supported groundbreaking cancer research funded
by the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF). The
Gala raised more than $4,000,000. Known for its history
of top-notch live performances, this year’s gala featured a
live concert by Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit with
very special guest artist Warren Haynes.
Notable attendees included: Dr.
Samuel Waxman, Marion Waxman, Dr. Kevan Shokat, Deborah
Kamali, Mark Fedyk, Erica Feinberg, Matthew Waller, Michael
Nierenberg, Elin Nierenberg, Jonny Nierenberg, Dr. Ethan
Dmitrovsky, Tess Dmitrovsky, Chris Wragge, Allie Gorin, Jody
Gorin, Matt Gorin, David Ronzenhole, Dena K. Weiner, William
T. Sullivan, Dennis Loyola, Ruben Fajardo, Cesar Ricci,
Howard Kurz, Nancy Kurz, Vinnie Cammarata, Spencer Waxman,
Bettina Waxman, Scott Waxman, Randi Schatz, David Hinkelman,
Nick Santoro.
This year, SWCRF presented its Fashion
Cares Award to Debra S. Waller, Chairman and CEO of
Jockey International, Inc. and its first-ever
Breakthrough Science Award to Dr. Kevan Shokat, from the
University of San Francisco. Waller, who has been
personally impacted by cancer in her family, was recognized
for her commitment to eradicating cancer and decades of
philanthropy. Jockey COO Mark Fedykand the Jockey
team represented and accepted the award on behalf of Waller.
Dr. Shokat, an SWCRF-funded investigator,
recently discovered a new compound that effectively shuts
off one of the most common cancer-causing genetic mutations
– the overactive KRAS protein - which is a driver in lung,
colorectal, and pancreatic cancers. This mutant protein was
considered “undruggable” for decades, but after 15 years of
research and significant investments from SWCRF, a new
FDA-approved medication is now available that shrinks these
tumors by up to 50 percent with remarkably low toxicity.
After a cocktail reception across the street,
guests made their way to the main dining room where host
Michael Nierenberg and emcee Chris Wragge welcomed
everyone back. SWCRF CEO & Founder Dr. Samuel Waxman gave a
presentation which was followed by a video of the
extraordinary work of Dr. Shokat, and then the awards
ceremony. Dr. Shokat’s video presentation can be viewed
here: youtu.be/Ssv2yv6pCm8
As in previous years, the Collaborating
for a Cure Gala included both a silent and live
auction during the night’s festivities. The main prize of
the night was 7-day Caribbean cruise aboard a brand new,
80-foot, solar-powered, luxury catamaran. Other auction
items included 4 tickets to Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit,
Candy the dog, 7 day Tuscany vacation, dinner for 16 at
Cipriani vault just to name a few.
During the gala, SWCRF also announced a new
collaboration with the Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount
Sinai to further expand the Foundation’s Aging and
Cancer program which includes partnerships with the National
Cancer Institute, National Institute on Aging, and the
Israel Cancer Research Foundation. Additionally, the
Foundation is funding breakthrough research to combat breast
and ovarian cancer. In the past 10 years, SWCRF has
allocated $4 million to its Women’s Cancer Research Program
and is currently investing $1,550,000 towards 15 prestigious
scientists working on finding new treatments for breast and
ovarian cancer.
Funding for these projects is raised, in
part, from the Foundation’s various events such as the
Hamptons Happening summer event, their annual Ladies
Luncheon, and of the Annual Collaborating for A Cure Gala.
For more information, visit www.waxmancancer.org/gala.
About Samuel Waxman Cancer Research
Foundation (SWCRF):
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation
is an international organization dedicated to curing and
preventing cancer. The Foundation is a pioneer in cancer
research and its mission is to eradicate cancer by funding
cutting-edge research that identifies and corrects abnormal
gene function that causes cancer and develops minimally
toxic treatments for patients. Through the Foundation’s
collaborative group of world-class scientists, the Institute
Without Walls, investigators share information and tools to
speed the pace of cancer research. Since its inception in
1976, the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation has
awarded more than $100 million to support the work of more
than 200 researchers across the globe. For more information
about the SWCRF research, visit www.waxmancancer.org.
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