One of our favorite charitable galas returned last week, The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) 22nd Anniversary Collaborating for a Cure Gala. This year’s sold-out events raised nearly $6 Million, which was the most raised in the event’s history. Proceeds will go towards innovative research studying cancer genetics and metastasis. The gala drew nearly 1,000 guests who celebrated the SWCRF’s research achievements and honorees Kobi Halperin, Valery Joseph, and Marc Taub, who received the SWCRF Collaborating for Cure awards. Prior to the event, the Gladstein Family presented the SWCRF with a $1 million gift and a challenge to supporters to match their gift dollar-for-dollar. Attendees were treated to an intimate performance by Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, who just released their fifth studio album and will finish a tour opening for legendary bands such as The Rolling Stones and The Who. CBS 2’s Chris Wragge returned as this year’s emcee.
Notable attendees included Dr. Samuel Waxman, Marion Waxman, Kobi Halperin, Valery Joseph, Marc Taub, Chris Wragge Elin Nierenberg, Michael Nierenberg, Jake Taub, Sandy Taub, William T. Sullivan, Donata Minelli Yirmiyahu, Craig B. Thompson, Steven Kolb, Nicholas Santoro, Spencer Waxman, Bettina Waxman, Diego Avanzato, Howard Shlafmitz, Deborah Shlafmitz, Riva Ariella Ritvo-Slifka, Frank Dato, Orital Karelic, Laurie Richter, Dena K. Weiner, Alyssa Greenberg, Cliff Greenberg, Maria Fishel, Bradley Fishel, Erica Fineberg, and Gary Jacob.
During the ceremony, Mr. Halperin, Mr. Joseph, and Mr. Taub each shared personal stories of how cancer has indelibly touched their lives. Mr. Joseph received a standing ovation after recounting his late wife Revi Joseph’s battle with ovarian cancer, which had gone into remission after her initial treatment only to recur two years later.
“The innovative ways, in which the Samuel Waxman Foundation uses collaborative research, has inspired me to help. Research around how, why, and when cancers come back, is what I intend to focus my fundraising efforts on. When cancers come back, they are usually more aggressive, on the body of the patient, and on the spirit of the entire family.”
Mr. Kobi explained that both his mother and aunt are breast cancer survivors and credited them in inspiring his interest in fashion. His father, a Holocaust survivor, and his mother and other family members traveled from Israel for the SWCRF Gala. “I grew up in a home familiar with loss and grieving for those who had suffered. And from this loss and anguish came a drive and passion to push forth and an inspiration to not just survive, but to succeed. Thank you for allowing me to join the effort of the Waxman Foundation and their quest to find a cure for this terrible disease.”
Mr. Taub was honored for both his philanthropy and leadership as a member of the SWCRF Board of Directors. “The mission of eradicating cancer is a call to our generation. In many aspects of life, we talk about six degrees of separation and the measure of social distance between people. When it comes to cancer, unfortunately, it’s never more than one degree. This is why the work of the Waxman Foundation’s Institutes Without Walls mission is so critical to saving lives. It’s the work that’s being done every day that leads us to where we all want to be: with a cure to this insidious disease.”
After a delectable dinner, honorees Kobi Halperin and Marc D. Taub were each presented a special award for their continued support for the foundation, as well as spoke about their personal family experiences with battling cancer. Keeping up the momentum, the evening’s live auction, led by Hugh Hildesley, Executive Vice President of Sotheby’s, featured luxury items and experiences including: a Palm Bay Italy Winery experience; not one but TWO Cockapoo Puppies; and meet-and-greet with the evening’s musical guests, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, who also autographed a guitar for the lucky winner
This year, the SWCRF has so far funded more than $2 million for a record of fifty world-class scientists who are working collaboratively to research cancer.
For more information on SWCRF, visit www.waxmancancer.org.