The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation raised more than $2 million at its recent fall gala in Greenwich. More than 800 supporters and philanthropists, multiple myeloma patients and celebrity guests came together at one the country”™s largest cancer research benefits.
Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cell. It is the second most common blood cancer. An estimated 26,850 adults ”” 14,090 men and 12,760 women ”” in the United States will be diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015 and an estimated 11,240 people are predicted to die from the disease, according to the foundation.
- Bonnie Hunt, Karen Andrews, Kathy Giusti, Elie Wiesel, Marion Wiesel, Elisha Wiesel, Lynn Bartner-Wiesel and Walter Capone at the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation’s annual Fall Gala. Photo by Steve Ladner
Oscar and Grammy Award winning singer and songwriter John Legend performed a special set of songs for gala guests at the Hyatt Regency. The mistress of ceremonies for the evening was Bonnie Hunt, actress, director, producer, writer and part of the foundation”™s honorary board of directors.
Two myeloma patients were recognized for their willingness to share personal cancer journeys in order to raise awareness and help others living with cancer. Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel and the Wiesel family were honored with the foundation”™s Courage and Commitment Award. Mr. Wiesel is a holocaust survivor, renowned author and the president of The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity.
Karen Andrews, foundation co-founder and a current member of the foundation”™s board of directors, was also honored with the foundation”™s Spirit of Hope Award. Andrews co-founded the foundation in 1998 with Giusti, her twin sister and a myeloma patient.
The event was sponsored by Takeda Oncology and Janssen Oncology. Funds raised will benefit cancer research aimed at accelerating the development of new treatments to extend the lives of myeloma patients and find a cure for multiple myeloma.
“We are extremely grateful for the support and partnership of so many courageous patients, their families and industry leaders. Their support and continuous collaboration will enable us to continue to build game-changing models in tissue banking, genomics, clinical trials and open access data sharing, driving leading-edge research and groundbreaking new treatments until we overcome this disease,” Walter Capone, president and CEO of the foundation, said.
Additionally, the foundation partnered with Charity Buzz Auctions to garner additional awareness and funds for cancer research. Auction packages include VIP tickets to The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, a private audition with Monte Lipman, the founder and CEO of Republic Records, several luxury vacations in the Caribbean and Napa Valley and two footballs autographed by complete AFC and NFC teams. Bidding will remain open until 3 p.m., Â Nov. 5.
For a full list and descriptions of auction items, please visit: charitybuzz.com/mmrf
