The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF) hosted its 20th Anniversary Collaborating for a Cure Benefit Dinner & Auction Gala at Cipriani Wall Street, posthumously honoring William S. Gorin, former CEO of MFA Financial, Inc., and featuring a musical performance by The Avett Brothers.
The gala known as ‘The Waxman’, one of the top fundraising events in New York City, also introduced SWCRF’s new Partnerships for Aging and Cancer Research Program, in collaboration with the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Aging.
Chris Wragge, co-anchor of CBS 2 News This Morning, served as master of ceremonies for the event, which raised approximately $2.5 million for SWCRF cancer research programs, which will support the Foundation’s research efforts to produce a cure for cancer by reprogramming cancer cells, and to deliver tailored, minimally toxic treatments to patients.
The scientists funded by the SWCRF have made significant breakthroughs in cancer research, including identifying pathways to deliver novel therapies to treat cancer.
This year’s event attended by about 800 corporate executives, board members, and their guests included: Marion Waxman and Dr. Samuel Waxman; Elin and Michael Nierenberg; William T. Sullivan; Jody, Matthew, and Allie Gorin; Julie and Scott Waxman; Bettina and Spencer Waxman; Hugh Hildesley; Robin Lathrop; Maria and Kenneth Fishel; Nancy, Howard, Charles, and Emma Kurz; Barry Cohen; Phyllis and Gary Gladstein; Louis Perone; Jeff Gladstein; Mary Kantor; Dena K. Weiner; Sandy, Marc, Jake, and Chloe Taub; Tom Marano; Marc Toscano; Greg Overlander; Peter Cherasia; Chris Arlotta; Mario Pecoraro; Greg Schwab; Naira Velumyan; JK Sezlik; and Samantha Santiago-Jones and Steve Jones.
Some of the evening’s exclusive live auction items included: A ten-course meal with wine pairings for eight guests at Chef Gabriel Kreuthers exclusive kitchen table, which sold for $9,000; reservations for six at Rao’s, featuring a hand-picked, Chef prepared menu including appetizers, entrees, desserts, and wine, which sold for $21,000; and the evening’s highest bid, a Palm Bay International Spanish vineyards, castle, and wine package which sold for $36,000. Other auction items included two house seats to the sold-out Springsteen on Broadway (sold for $17,000) and a private wine tasting for 25 at Italian Wine Merchants, which went for $14,000.
Silent auction items will be available for bidding at CharityStars.com until November 30th, and include: An opportunity to see one of Bette Midler’s final performances in Hello, Dolly!; Tickets to The Dr. OZ Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show; a caviar luxury spa package at the Ritz-Carlton in New York City; signed jerseys from New York Jets legend Joe Namath and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Franco Harris; hotel stays including the Club Barbados Resort & Spa, the Verandah Resort & Spa in Antigua, and the Andaz Hotel in West Hollywood, California; dinner gift certificates to top New York City restaurants such as Cipriani, Casa Lever, Delmonico’s, and La Masseria; a painting by artist Alexey Klokov; and four front-row tickets to see the New York Jets play the San Diego Chargers, among many other exciting offerings.
Other auction items included two house seats to the sold-out Springsteen on Broadway (sold for $17,000) and a private wine tasting for 25 at Italian Wine Merchants, which went for $14,000.
Pictured:
Marion Waxman, Dr. Sam Waxman