2016

Mrs. Donna de Varona

On November 16, 2016 the First Annual Gala was held at the magnificent Metropolitan Club in New York City. It was well attended and substantial funds from this amazing night will go to pediatric brain tumor research.

US Olympic Swimming double gold medalist Mrs. Donna de Varona introduced and hosted the evening.

This was followed by a welcome and remarks from Dr. Mazen Kamen and his wife Jill, founders of The Kamen Brain Tumor Foundation.

Dr. José Baselga, Chief Medical Officer and Physician in Chief at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York spoke about the Cancer Moonshot initiative and the importance of private funding in collaboration with federal funding.

Dr. Ira Dunkel, Chairman of the Pediatric Brain Tumor Consortium and Pediatric Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York spoke about the challenges of developing effective target drugs for brain tumors and the need for more funding for nation-wide research.

Ms. Victoria Wakile, a brain cancer survivor, shared her story of survivorship, hope and the urgent need to find definitive cures for pediatric brain cancer.

Mr. Howard Lepow, a member of the Board of Governors from the Mannes School of Music rounded out the evening with the introduction of three outstanding pianists from Mannes; Isabella Ma, Baron Fenwick and Vladimir Rumyantsev.

A fabulous evening was had by all, and we are looking forward to next year’s gala!!!