Press Release
2014-04-24
CancerCare® Celebrates 70 Years and Raises Over One Million Dollars at Anniversary Gala
Event Honored Bayer HealthCare and WebMD Health Foundation
NEW YORK, NY (APRIL 24, 2014) – CancerCare® , the leading national nonprofit organization providing free support services to anyone affected by cancer, raised more than one million dollars at the 70th Anniversary Celebration Gala. Over 500 attendees gathered at Cipriani in New York City on April 23 to support the organization as it moves into its eighth decade of service.
“With 13.7 million cancer survivors in the U.S. today, a number that is expected to increase to 18 million over the next decade, CancerCare’s services are more relevant than ever before,” said CancerCare National Board of Trustees President Susan Smirnoff. “The Gala allows us to honor individuals and corporations that have made incredible contributions in supporting CancerCare over the past 70 years and to raise essential funds to further carry out the mission. We look forward to entering into a new decade, while expanding our reach and depth of services for anyone affected by cancer.”
Television journalist, author and dedicated cancer advocate Katie Couric kicked off the evening by sharing how she and her family were personally affected by cancer and found comfort by using CancerCare’s services.
Chef and restaurateur David Burke took the stage for the live auction portion of the event. Grammy Award-winning contemporary opera singer Jessye Norman and Former Mayor of New York City David Norman Dinkins were also in attendance.
Ms. Couric proudly presented the Partnership Award to Philip Blake, senior Bayer Representative USA and Bayer HealthCare Representative US. Under the leadership of Blake, Bayer HealthCare holds a long-standing commitment to CancerCare’s mission of bringing outstanding educational services to help people whose lives have been affected by cancer.
The Help & Hope Award was presented to Pamela S. Wygod and the WebMD Health Foundation. Ms. Wygod has been a devoted member of CancerCare’s Board of Trustees since 2006 and the Foundation has awarded the organization more than $2.5 million to support cancer patients in the San Diego area.
One of the organization’s youngest and most powerful advocates, Maddy Gold, 13, courageously shared her story and was surprised with the Junior Philanthropist Award. In honor of her mother, Alyssa, Maddy serves as a volunteer and has raised $1,500 for the organization.
The event was hosted by Annette and Andrew Pizzo, President of Collection XIIX, Ltd. Proceeds raised through the event benefit the nonprofit organization’s free professional support services available to anyone affected by cancer.
About CancerCare
Founded in 1944, CancerCare® is the leading national organization providing free support services and information to help people manage the emotional, practical and financial challenges of cancer. Our comprehensive services include counseling and support groups over the phone, online and in-person, educational workshops, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. All CancerCare services are provided by professional oncology social workers. To learn more, visit www.cancercare.org.