BCRF Celebrates $48.5 Million Commitment to Breast Cancer Research

BCRF’s Symposium & Awards Luncheon, Hosted by Joan Lunden, Journalist, Author and Breast Cancer Survivor, Honored Long-Time Supporter and Fashion Designer Tory Burch

On October 29, BCRF celebrated its $48.5 million commitment to breast cancer research at the annual BCRF Symposium & Awards Luncheon at The Waldorf Astoria with more than 1,000 guests. Every year, BCRF brings together its international roster of grantees at this event in an effort to encourage collaboration and accelerate progress. In 2015-2016 BCRF is supporting 240 grantees in 13 countries on five continents.

The symposium, dedicated in memory of Lois Brennan, was titled “Progress in Killing Drug Resistant Cancer Cells” and featured panelists Dr. Joan Brugge of Harvard Medical School, Dr. Suzanne Fuqua of Baylor College of Medicine and Dr. Vered Stearns of Johns Hopkins. BCRF Scientific Director Dr. Larry Norton and BCRF Scientific Advisory Chairman Dr. Clifford Hudis, both of whom also serve at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, moderated the panel. Attendees included more than 190 of the world’s foremost cancer researchers, convened annually by BCRF to discuss the latest work in every area of breast cancer research.

This year’s luncheon, hosted by Joan Lunden raised more than $2 million. Reva Robinson presented her daughter Tory Burch with the Sandra Taub Humanitarian Award for Tory’s unflagging commitment to end breast cancer as a BCRF board member and champion for research. BCRF grantee Dr. Joan Brugge was honored with the Jill Rose Award for her distinguished work to advance our understanding of the molecular and cellular biology of breast cancer.

“Every year at this luncheon we honor an outstanding supporter as well as a groundbreaking scientist because they are both a fundamental piece of the puzzle when it comes to ending breast cancer,” said Myra Biblowit, President of BCRF. “Tory’s commitment to BCRF has truly moved the dial on accelerating research. Dr. Brugge’s incredible work is changing the very way we think of breast cancer. Both of these remarkable women are changing lives by saving them.”

“Evelyn Lauder had a big dream: to see the end of breast cancer,” said Tory Burch. “Just as importantly, she had a plan that 22 years ago she and Dr. Larry Norton conceptualized, and which later became BCRF. I am honored to receive this award and confident that together we will realize Evelyn’s big, bold dream and be the end of breast cancer.”

Special attendees included Leonard and Judy Lauder, William Lauder and Lori Tritsch, Kinga Lampert, Tory Burch, Joan Lunden, Jamie Tisch, Sandra Lee, Bethenny Frankel, Tracy Anderson, Cindy Citrone, Krysta Rodriguez, Nigel Barker, Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, Coco Kopelman, Tamsen Fadal, Selenis Levya, Lindsay Ellingson, Gigi Mortimer, Jane Hertzmark Hudis, Frederica Marchionni, Alice Jackson, Gretta Monahan, Zabryna Guevara, and Paula Zahn.

The event’s co-chairs included Roberta Amon, Anne Bass, Clarissa Alcock Bronfman, Marjorie Reed Gordon, Betsy Green, Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, Gail Hilson, Wendi Rose, Arlene Taub and Simone Winston.

Underwriters for the event included ANN INC., Jody and John Arnhold, Roz Goldstein, Amy Goldman Fowler and the Lillian Goldman Charitable Trust, Leonard and Judy Lauder, Lifetime and Tough Enough to Wear Pink. Winston Flowers and D’Arrigo Brothers provided decor, while The Estee Lauder Companies provided a lovely Tory Burch perfume for each guest.