FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Lisa Berry Edwards
703-519-2107
Lisa.Edwards@preventcancer.org
Washington, D.C.—The Prevent Cancer Foundation announced today that it raised more than $2 million at its annual Gala on December 1, the most in the event’s 27-year history. Proceeds from the Gala directly support cancer prevention and early detection through the Foundation’s programs, including research grants and fellowships and community outreach grants, as well as the Foundation’s public education campaigns, such as the “Back on the Books” campaign reminding everyone to reschedule their postponed or cancelled routine cancer screenings.
After shifting to a virtual format in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, for the 2021 Gala the Foundation welcomed guests in-person at the National Building Museum in the District of Columbia. This year’s event paid homage to the Republic of Korea with its theme, Season of Splendor. The Foundation honored His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Soo Hyuck Lee and Mrs. Hye Kyung Hwang, who were represented at the event by Deputy Chief of Mission Minister Ko. Guests were also treated to a performance by the Washington Samulnori, a traditional Korean percussion group.
Highlights of the evening included Foundation board member and Fox News correspondent Jennifer Griffin serving as master of ceremonies and introducing speakers such as board member, Gala co-chair and ovarian cancer survivor Susanna Quinn, Minister Ko, presenting sponsor GRAIL’s President and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Joshua Ofman, and Foundation board chair Gary Lytle.
Performances from Rayshun LaMarr, cancer survivor and season 14 semi-finalist from The Voice, Ali Rogin, cancer “previvor” and PBS producer, and rock band Sister Hazel entertained guests while raising money to imagine a world where no one dies of cancer. LaMarr’s performance was accompanied by his personal story about battling cancer during the Lighting the Way to Prevention pledge drive.
Each year, the Foundation recognizes two Cancer Champions for their significant contributions in cancer prevention and other cancer-related issues. Senator Tim Scott and Representative Debbie Dingell were this year’s Cancer Champion award winners and were recognized as part of the evening’s festivities.
If you missed this year’s Gala, you can watch the full video here.
The 2021 Prevent Cancer Gala thanks its top sponsors:
Presenting Sponsor
- GRAIL
Premier Benefactors
- Community Oncology Alliance
- Daiichi Sankyo
- Gilead Sciences
- Pfizer
- PhRMA
- Shure Family Charitable Foundation
Benefactors Plus
- AmerisourceBergen
- Amgen
- Viatris Inc.
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About the Prevent Cancer Foundation®
The Prevent Cancer Foundation® is celebrating 35 years as the only U.S. nonprofit organization focused solely on saving lives across all populations through cancer prevention and early detection. Through research, education, outreach and advocacy, we have helped countless people avoid a cancer diagnosis or detect their cancer early enough to be successfully treated.
The Foundation is rising to meet the challenge of reducing cancer deaths by 40% by 2035. To achieve this, we are committed to investing $20 million for innovative technologies to detect cancer early and advance multi-cancer screening, $10 million to expand cancer screening and vaccination access to medically underserved communities, and $10 million to educate the public about screening and vaccination options. For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.
