Published on March 24, 2008
MEDIA CONTACT:
Brandon Pinney
703-837-3688
brandon.pinney@preventcancer.org
Funds to Support Innovative Cancer Prevention Research and Community Outreach Grants
Alexandria, VA — The Prevent Cancer Foundation (formerly the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation) — the only organization in the United States solely dedicated to the prevention of cancer since 1985 — held its 14th Annual Spring Gala at the National Building Museum on March 14, 2008. The glittering event, which this year honored the country of Turkey, raised 1.4 million dollars to further the organization’s mission: the prevention and early detection of cancer through scientific research, education and community outreach to all populations, including children and the underserved.
Widely recognized as one of Washington’s premier events; the gala attracted nearly 800 guests from the business, diplomatic, government, medical, sports, media and social communities. His Excellency, the Ambassador of Turkey and Mrs. Nabi Sensoy served as the Honorary Patrons and Brenda Becker, Senior Vice President of Global Government Affairs at Boston Scientific along with celebrity party planner and Prevent Cancer Foundation Board Member David Tutera served as Gala Co-Chairs. The Honorable Tom Harkin and Mrs. Harkin, The Honorable Gordon Smith and Mrs. Smith, The Honorable Norman Dicks and Mrs. Dicks and The Honorable Ed Whitfield and Mrs. Whitfield presided as the Honorary Congressional Gala Chairs while guests included His Excellency, the Ambassador of Morocco, The Honorable Patrick Leahy, Dale Earnhardt Inc. Chief Executive Officer Teresa Earnhardt, and Susan G. Komen Foundation founder Nancy Brinker.
The gala, which was generously underwritten by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and Sam’s Clubwith sanofi-aventis serving as the Premier Benefactor and Amgen and Roche as Major Benefactors, opened with a reception prior to dinner. Curtains obscuring the main hall of the Building Museum opened to reveal Mr. Tutera’s exquisitely designed Turkish themed décor which was highlighted by red tents positioned over the dining tables, elaborate table ornaments composed of fruits, nuts, and smartly crafted flower arrangements, and soft lighting that made the museum’s pillars reflect a vibrant hue of red reflect off the curtains encircling the hall. Guests dined on Turkish themed food that included a swordfish kebab, lamb chops in a demi-glaze, followed by a sumptuous dessert sampler that included a caramelized baked pear, an apricot baklava, and lemon-phyllo custard topped with a candied lemon zest. Following dinner revelers took to the dance floor to continue the celebration until the event came to a close at the stroke of midnight.
One of Washington D.C.’s most anticipated annual spectacles, the Prevent Cancer Foundation hosted its first gala in 1994 with Former President George H.W. Bush and First lady Barbara serving as its Co-Chairs. The Foundation uses proceeds from the gala and other fundraising efforts to fund its preventive cancer research and community education grants, which are aimed at educating people about the eight preventable cancers. Since its inception in 1985 the Prevent Cancer Foundation has funded over $97 million in innovative research and education grants aimed at ensuring that the next generation will not have to suffer from preventable cancers. Visit www.preventcancer.org to learn more about the Prevent Cancer Foundation and its life saving programs.
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Photos from the gala are available upon request. Please email Brandon Pinney using the contact information listed above.
The Prevent Cancer Foundation:
For more than 20 years, the Prevent Cancer Foundation has carried out its mission of cancer prevention in three important ways; by funding research that helps us better understand how to prevent cancer; educating the public about how they can prevent cancer; and by reaching out to communities across the nation. Since 1985, the Foundation has provided more than $97 million in support of cancer prevent research, education and outreach programs, and has played a pivotal role in developing a body of knowledge that is the basis for important prevention and early detection strategies.
The Foundation focuses its energies and resources on those cancers—including lung, breast, prostate, colorectal, cervical, skin, oral and testicular—that can be prevented through lifestyle changes or early detection and treatment. We envision a future where cancer incidence and mortality will be significantly reduced through preventive measures.
For more information, please visit: www.preventcancer.org.
