On Thursday, the 28th, the Women’s Cancer Research Fund joined forces with the Breast Cancer Research Fund for their annual gala which honors those raising funding and awareness for women’s cancer research. WCRF has raised over $75 million over the years and is led by women, for women.
This year alone BCRF has awarded $66 million dollars in grants. These grants support nearly 275 scientists at top medical institutions internationally. With a total of 14 countries supporting this work, BCRF is the largest private funder of research for breast cancer. President Myra Biblowit and BCRF-funded researcher Valerie Weaver came out to the Beverly Wilshire hotel for the WCRF’s An Unforgettable Night.
The founders of WCRF, Tisch, Ezralow, Marion Laurie and Kelly Chapman Meyer joined honorary chairs, Wilson and Kate Capshaw as they walked the pink and black carpet. The star studded guest list included Katie Couric, Tom Ford and Richard Buckley, Maria Bello and Dominique Crenn, Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin, Ingrid and Jeff Gordon, Tommy Chong, Martin Short, Elizabeth Chambers, Camila Alves McConaughey, Chord Overstreet, Monique Lhuillier, Rachel Zoe, Loni Love, Paris Hilton, Nicky Hilton Rothschild, Kyle Richards, Cynthia Bailey, Caleb Foote, NJ Falk, William P. Lauder, Danielle Lauder, Judy and Leonard Lauder to name a few. I spoke with Will Ropp, Loni Love, Rachel Zoe, Kyle Richards and Elizabeth Chambers about their individual projects as well as what brought them out to the event. Kyle Richards said it best when speaking about how important it is to get the message across that women should not be afraid to get testing because if cancer is detected early enough, something can be done about it.
“I lost my mom to breast cancer 18 years ago… she didn’t go to the doctor because she was afraid. If she had, she’d still be here today because by the time they found it, it was too late.”
She spoke to the importance of doctor’s visits by saying that if women get testing and annual mammograms, ‘you’ll live a full and happy life.’ As she talked about her support for the cause, it was impossible to ignore the Jonas Brothers passing behind us. Nick, Joe and Kevin came out to perform “Only Human,” “Jealous,” “Cake By The Ocean,” and “Sucker.”
Renee Zelleweger was honored with the organization’s 2020 Courage Award. She was awarded with this award because she publicly shared her battle for breast cancer in 2015. She mentioned how her publicist, Nani Ryder, once exposed the impact of her cancer treatment during a red carpet interview by ripping off her wig on camera.
She also acknowledged the work Rita Wilson has done and continues to do for the organization by saying:
“I want to acknowledge you because we all know that courage is contagious as is the easier absence of courage. … Your courage, coupled with the support of everyone here, and those who are compelled to act, will touch lives and encourage others when facing any circumstance of unknown consequence.”
Overall, the night was a success as supporters of WCRF raised $1.8 Million that night.
