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The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF)
hosted its 19th
Annual Collaborating for a Cure Benefit Dinner & Auction,
posthumously honoring footwear industry icon Vince
Camuto and
featuring a musical performance by the legendary Roger
Daltrey of The Who on
Thursday, November 10th, 2016, at Cipriani Wall
Street. The
event marked the fortieth anniversary of the founding of the
Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) by noted
oncologist Samuel
Waxman, M.D. and
introduced the SWCRF
Vince Camuto Memorial Cancer Research Program in
honor of Mr.
Camuto, founder of Camuto Group, who passed away
of prostate cancer in 2015. Louise
Camuto, Chief Creative Officer of Camuto Group,
accepted the honor in memory of her late husband. The
evening was hosted by Chris
Wragge, co-anchor of CBS
2 News This
Morning, as master of ceremonies, and raised approximately
$2.5 million for
SWCRF cancer research programs.
This year’s event was
attended by more than 750 corporate executives, board
members and their guests. The money raised will support the
Foundation’s research efforts to produce a cure for cancer
by reprogramming cancer cells and to deliver tailored,
minimally toxic treatments to patients. The scientists
funded by the SWCRF have made significant breakthroughs in
cancer research, including identifying pathways to deliver
novel therapies to treat cancer.
SWCRF Collaborating
for a Cure host Michael
Nierenberg gave
opening remarks welcoming attendees to the Dinner & Auction
and thanked the SWCRF’s many supporters for their continued
efforts to raise funds for cancer research. He then
surprised Master of Ceremonies Chris
Wraggewith the SWCRF Collaborator for a Cure Award in
recognition of his contributions to the SWCRF mission as
host of many of the Foundation’s fundraisers over the years.
After dinner, Wragge introduced a touching video tribute to
Vince Camuto in which fashion and retail luminaries,
including Macy’s Inc. CEO Terry Lundgren and designer Tory
Burch, recalled what made him special as an industry leader.
Wragge then welcomed to the stage Dr.
Waxman who
provided the guests with an overview of the Foundation’s new
SWCRF Aging and Cancer Research Initiative, which will
investigate the genetic and environmental factors that drive
increased incidence of mortality among cancer patients over
the age of 50. Dr. Waxman commented on how the SWCRF Vince
Camuto Memorial Cancer Research Program would in part
support the Aging and Cancer program and introduced Louise
Camuto to
accept the honor. Mrs.
Camuto conveyed
how she supports the research SWCRF funds to develop less
toxic treatments for cancer patients and recalled the pain
of witnessing her beloved husband lose his battle against
prostate cancer a year and a half ago. She ended her speech
by thanking Dr. Waxman for founding the SWCRF Vince Camuto
Memorial Cancer Research Program in honor of her late
husband, which will support the work of SWCRF grantees with
$300,000 over three years.
The evening’s exciting
live auction was led by Hugh Hildesley, Executive Vice
President of Sotheby’s Auction House. Guests bid on
exclusive items such as: a $10,000 shopping spree and lunch
with John
Varvatos which
sold for $15,000; an America’s
Cup Yacht Race experience captained
by former America’s Cup team members, sold for $8,000; a Private
Wine Tasting at Italy’s most popular wineries for
$16,000; an exclusive opportunity to meet Roger
Daltrey and
receive a guitar autographed by the famous singer, which
sold to the highest bidder for $15,000. The highest bid of
the night, $48,000, went to a Private
Jet Experience for
eight people which includes 10 hours of air travel on the
state-of-the-art, luxurious Hawker 4000. Other travel
packages included a CMH
five-day Heli-skiing trip for
two in Canada, which sold for $16,000, and a Milwaukee
Bucks Experience including
a G4 flight to a game and team memorabilia that sold for
$16,000.
Online auction items,
which will be available for bidding at CharityBuzz.com until
November 22, include: a behind-the-scenes visit to the set
of The Today Show with a chance to meet hosts Hoda Kotb and
Kathie Lee Gifford, a one-week stay in a gorgeous
two-bedroom apartment in Paris, four Coaches Club tickets to
watch the New York Jets play against the Miami Dolphins at
MetLife Stadium on December 17, a Maroon 5 autographed
Fender Squier Bullet Guitar, two tickets & cocktails to a
taping of Bravo's Watch
What Happens Live! Hosted
by Andy Cohen in New York City, and two Tickets to the John
Varvatos Fall/Winter Runway Show on February 2, 2017 in New
York plus a leather duffle bag.
After the auction, guests
were treated to an exclusive concert by Roger
Daltrey, who performed hits from his solo career and his
legendary run as lead singer of The Who. Daltrey was joined
on stage for a set by surprise guest performer Willie
Nile to the
audience’s delight.
Known affectionately by New Yorkers as “The
Waxman,” this yearly fête is
considered to be among the top fundraising events in New
York City, attended by more than 750 corporate executives,
board members, and their guests. In recent years, “The
Waxman” has raised millions of dollars to support the
Foundation’s research efforts to produce a cure for cancer.
Past celebrity performers have included Ziggy
Marley, Train, Peter
Frampton, Gregg Allman, Kid Rock, Steely Dan, Glenn Frey,
Joe Walsh, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, and Counting
Crows.
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