More than 1,000 supporters, multiple myeloma patients and guests recently attended the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Fall Gala at the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, raising $2.6 million that will go toward multiple myeloma clinical trials and cancer research.
The annual gala ”” this was No. 18 ”” was billed as one the country”™s largest cancer research benefits and the “the highlight of the social calendar.”
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the blood plasma cells that will see more than 24,000 diagnoses nationally in 2014. The research foundation said it will kill more than 11,000 in the U.S. this year.
Bestselling author and longtime NBC News anchor Tom Brokaw, a multiple myeloma patient, received the foundation”™s Spirit of Hope Award.
“The Spirit of Hope Award is the highest honor presented by the foundation in recognition of the extraordinary contributions by the honoree to inspire hope through his or her life work,” the foundation said in a statement.
Besides Brokaw, guests included Brian Williams, anchor and managing editor of NBC Nightly News and an honorary member of the foundation”™s board of directors, who served as master of ceremonies; and musician Wynton Marsalis, managing and artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, who was the event headliner. Other well-known attendees included Andrea Mitchell, Hoda Kotb, Willie Geist, David Letterman and Lee and Bob Woodruff.
“I am so inspired by Tom”™s strong spirit, as well as the incredible support given by many people from patients, to pharmaceutical partners, to leading philanthropists in support of our mission,” said Kathy Giusti, the research foundation”™s executive chairwoman and founder and a multiple myeloma patient. “The MMRF was created by patients and individuals to bring about a meaningful change in cancer research models and we will not stop until cures are found.”
“We deeply appreciate the participation and partnership of so many prominent industry leaders and supporters who attended the MMRF gala,” said Walter Capone, CEO and president of the foundation. “Their backing and continuous collaboration will enable us to continue to drive leading-edge research and ground-breaking new treatments until we overcome this disease.”
The organization said it works with “some of the world”™s most respected research and medical industry partners in studies, initiated trials, developed treatments and introduced new medicines that are having a lasting impact and saving lives across many cancers.”
