Annual Gala

The Republic of Korea: Season of Splendor

27th Annual Gala
Wednesday, December 1, 2021

The Prevent Cancer Foundation Annual Gala is recognized as one of Washington’s premier events, attracting more than 1,000 guests from the business, diplomatic, government, medical, philanthropic, sports and social communities. The gala was ranked number four among all Washington charity events in 2018 and 2019 by BizBash, and is a widely attended event, following all guidelines of the Senate and House. Almost $1.6 million was raised in September 2020 and, on average, 79 cents of every dollar raised goes to support cancer prevention and early detection.

Honorary Patron
His Excellency, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Soo Hyuck Lee and Mrs. Hye Kyung Hwang

Cancer Champions
Senator Tim Scott
Representative Debbie Dingell

Honorary Congressional Co-Chairs
Senator Richard Burr
Senator Bob Menendez
Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers
Representative Anna Eshoo

Gala Co-Chairs
Nickie Currie, Ted Okon and Susanna Quinn

Dinner Co-Chairs
Kathryn Kennedy and Lori Reilly

For more information on the Gala, please contact Lorelei Mitrani at Lorelei.Mitrani@preventcancer.org or (703) 519-2102.

Did you miss the 2020 Prevent Cancer Gala? Watch the full video.

COVID-19 Safety Guidelines/Requirements

We at the Prevent Cancer Foundation^® are excited to once again be celebrating our Annual Gala in person at the National Building Museum. As we navigate a return to in-person events, the safety of all guests, volunteers, vendors and staff is our highest priority.

The Foundation has adapted the event to provide guests with additional space, limit crowding and enhance sanitation measures. We will be following current safety guidance from the CDC and District of Columbia. This includes guidance on any masking requirements.

As you might expect when attending an event benefitting a cancer-focused charity, our guest list will include cancer survivors as well as individuals currently undergoing cancer treatment. With the safety and well-being of all attendees in mind, including those who are immunocompromised, we require everyone in attendance be fully vaccinated before December 1 (see https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated.html#vaccinated for the CDC’s definition of fully vaccinated). Individuals who are not vaccinated due to a sincerely held religious belief or disability should contact Lorelei Mitrani at the email below to engage in the interactive process to see if a reasonable accommodation can be made.

Protocols are subject to change as we get closer to the event. Any changes will be shared with attendees ahead of time.

If you have questions or concerns regarding our safety policies for the event, please contact Lorelei Mitrani, Director of Special Events at Lorelei.Mitrani@preventcancer.org.

Silent Auction

A silent auction benefitting cancer research fellowships and community outreach will be held the evening of the event. Bidding will be available online prior to the event and continue during the evening’s activities.

View Available Items and Register to Bid

Prevent Cancer Foundation Cancer Champion Award

Since 2010, the Foundation has honored a cancer champion pioneer at the Gala. Past awardees have included:

2020 – Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) and Congressman Greg Walden (R-OR) ~ Honored for their contributions to cancer research and quality care; limiting access to tobacco products among adolescents and young adults; advocating for co-testing for cervical cancer screening; and advocating for dedicated funding for FDA, NIH, CDC and NCI.

2019 – Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Mazie Hirono (D-HI) ~ Honored for their leadership in protecting coverage of services for veterans, seniors and first responders; raising awareness on colorectal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and hepatitis, a leading cause of liver cancer; limiting access to tobacco products among adolescents and young adults; ensuring transparency in care delivery; and expanding funding for biomedical research in cancer.

2018 – Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO) and Patty Murray (D-WA) ~ Honored for their leadership in protecting the appropriation for the National Institutes of Health, enabling it to continue being the global leader of biomedical research.

2017 – House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) ~ With his support of the 21st Century Cures Act, Leader McCarthy contributed to bipartisan support of this historic effort to speed up the discovery, development and delivery of lifesaving cures.

2016 – Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) and Representative Diana DeGette (D-Colorado) ~ In 2014, Rep. DeGette and Chairman Upton launched the 21^st Century Cures initiative, a multi-year effort aiming to bring researchers, industry experts and patients together to speed up the discovery, development and delivery of lifesaving cures.

2015 – Senator Mike Crapo ~ U.S. Senator from Idaho who is a two-time prostate cancer survivor. Senator Crapo collaborated for many years with the Foundation on a signature initiative, a Health Awareness and Screening Booth at the Idaho State Fair. He has also been a champion of legislation that helps advanced progress in cancer research and quality of care for cancer patients.

2014 – Mrs. Ellen Noghès ~ wife of former Ambassador of Monaco Gilles Noghès, a three-time cancer survivor who is focuses her efforts on raising awareness of cancer among the diplomatic community.

2013 – The Honorable Ellen Tauscher ~ For bringing awareness to cancer prevention and early detection by sharing her personal battle with esophageal cancer.

2012 – Congressman Michael Oxley ~ For his work in the advancement of cancer prevention and early detection.
To make a donation for to the Michael G. Oxley Lung Cancer Research Fund, click here.

2011 – Congresswoman Doris Matsui ~ Founder of the Foundation’s Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program.

2010 – Dr. Elmer Huerta ~ Director of the Cancer Preventorium at Washington Cancer Institute, Washington Hospital Center. Dr. Huerta founded the low-income prevention and screening clinic in 1994 and continues to use it as a vehicle for reaching the Hispanic/Latino community in the Washington, DC.