Over $2 Million Raised for BCRF at Boston Hot Pink Party

Event honored Karen and Rob Hale, special performance by China Forbes and members of The Boston Pops and Michael Cavanaugh

On Tuesday, May 17, BCRF hosted its annual Hot Pink Party at the InterContinental Boston raising over $2 million for breast cancer research. The event honored Karen and Rob Hale with the Inaugural Carolyn Lynch Humanitarian Award, celebrating the Hale’s commitment to impact-driven philanthropy for medical research in Boston. The 11th annual gala featured a special performance by China Forbes of Pink Martini with members of The Boston Pops and concluded with an after-party featuring Grammy and Tony nominated artist Michael Cavanaugh, known for playing the lead role in the Billy Joel Broadway musical, Movin’ Out.

“We share Carolyn and Peter Lynch’s passion for BCRF, and are so grateful for this incredible recognition. We are truly honored, and would like to thank everyone at BCRF who works tirelessly to carry out Evelyn Lauder’s vision of a world free from breast cancer. Because of them, we get closer to that reality each day,” said Rob and Karen Hale on Tuesday night.

The event’s leadership in attendance included Honorary Co-Chairs Keith Lockhart and Emiley Zalesky. Co-Chairs: Lynn Dale and Frank Wisneski, Sinesia and Bill Karol, and Sharon Shane. Event Co-Founder: Sandra Krakoff, Boston Ambassador: Elisha Daniels and Leadership Council Members: Stephanie Andrews, Andrea Brooks, Kelley Doyle, Jennifer Herman, Linda Holliday, Trisha Pérez Kennealy, Hope Krakoff, Lisa Krakoff, Elena Matlack, Liz Kelleher Sells, Donna Stearns, Kelley Tuthill, Linda Waintrup, and Simone Winston.

Additional notable guests included New England Patriots Coach Bill Belichick along with Peter Lynch, Bianca de la Garza, Rob and Cathy Griffin, Bryan Rafanelli, Christy Cashman, Katherine Chapman Stemberg, and Nancy and Rick Kelleher.

This year, BCRF is funding 240 leading cancer researchers globally, including 30 researchers that are based in New England. Since 1993, BCRF has committed over $58 million in cancer research funding to New England medical institutions and universities. As the largest private funder of breast cancer research worldwide, the Hot Pink Party celebrates BCRF’s impact in New England and beyond. 

The event’s underwriters included: Saks Fifth Avenue, Suffolk Construction, Cyndy and John Fish, Karen and Rob Hale, Brooks Brothers, The Lauder Foundation – Leonard & Judy Lauder Fund, Boston Common Magazine, Lynn Dale and Frank Wisneski, Sinesia and Bill Karol, Nancy and Rick Kelleher, Kelly Cares Foundation, The Lynch Foundation, First Republic Bank – Richard Kertzman, and Donna and James Stearns.