The New York City skies were cloudy but the rooftop lounge at The DL in the Lower East Side was humming with the Latin beats and aroma of Cuban cuisine at the inaugural Havana Nights party hosted by the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) young professionals Associates Board.
“This incredible group of young professionals is the next generation of philanthropists who are committed to supporting research that advances innovative approaches to understanding what causes cancer. Their initial efforts for this inaugural event exceeded all expectations. We are enormously grateful to the Associates Board and their guests for generating enough support to fund an investigator who is developing fresh and original research,” said William T. Sullivan, Executive Director at the SWCRF.
Melissa Garcia, a fashion and lifestyle expert that regularly appears on The Today Show, Good Morning America, E! News and Extra!, addressed the crowd and shared news about her father’s current battle with cancer.
“I have seen firsthand how research like that conducted by the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation has helped my dad. It is vitally important that we support research to cure cancer,” Ms. Garcia said.
The Violin Diva who was luminous as she played her glowing instrument and walked the admiring crowd. Performances by Sarina Suno, dancer Elena Nayiri, also wowed the guests. DJ Mat Lewis., spun an eclectic mix of electronica, and Latin music. Some brave attendees ventured out to the patio to partake in the had rolled cigars provided by Soho Cigar Bar
The menu featured festive specialties including Beard Papa’s Cream Puffs, Haas Brothers San Francisco, Simple Vodka, and tropical-themed shots in Snackadabra cookie cups.
The event raised $30,000 for The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation 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. 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 approximately $100 million to support the work of more than 200 researchers across the globe.
For more information on SWCRF, visit www.waxmancancer.org.
-Sia Battle