BCRF “Goes Wild” on April 12 Raising More Than $6.8 Million for Research

BCRF Honorary Chairman Leonard A. Lauder Endows New Grant in Honor of Sir Elton John’s Unwavering Support of BCRF

BCRF held its annual Hot Pink Party on Tuesday, April 12 at New York City’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel. The event, hosted by Elizabeth Hurley, The Estée Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Global Ambassador, raised an incredible $6.8 million. This year’s vibrant occasion reflected the theme “BCRF Goes Wild.” The evening featured a show stopping concert performance by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend, Sir Elton John in honor of his dear friend and former BCRF Event Co-Chair, the late Ingrid Sischy.

Sir Elton John’s unforgettable performance capped off an evening that celebrated the gift of friendship. Just before his performance, Mr. Leonard A. Lauder recognized Sir Elton John’s commitment to BCRF for the past 15 years by endowing a BCRF research grant in his name. The Sir Elton John Award will be issued to a U.K. based researcher in perpetuity.

“I'm so honored to pay tribute to my dear friend Evelyn Lauder tonight,” said Sir Elton John. “Her memory along with everyone we've lost to this devastating disease is a constant reminder of how critically important research is. I'm deeply moved to be a part of BCRF's mission now and in the many years to come."

The Foundation’s dear friend Melinda Blinken received the 2016 Roslyn and Leslie Goldstein Unsung Hero Award from Gail Hilson for her unwavering support to many friends affected by breast cancer, including BCRF Founder, Evelyn H. Lauder.

The evening also featured a special announcement about a new formal collaboration between BCRF and the Women’s Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), founded by Kate Capshaw, Kelly Chapman Meyer, Anne Douglas, Quinn Ezralow, Marion Laurie, Jamie Tisch and Rita Wilson.

Noteworthy guests in attendance included: Tracy Anderson, LaLa Anthony, Nigel Barker, David Alan Basche, Ann Caruso, Olivia Culpo, Misty Copeland, Aviva Drescher, Bethenny Frankel, Jeff Gordon, Kinga Lampert, Leonard A. Lauder, Judith Glickman-Lauder, Jane Lauder, William P. Lauder, Katie Lee, Jill Martin, Patina Miller, Deborah Norville, Carole Radziwill, Alysia Reiner, Danielle Snyder, Beth Stern, Dominico Vacca, Vera Wang, Alison Wright and Lois Robbins Zaro.

Event co-chairs include Sandra Brant, Tory Burch, Cindy and Rob Citrone, Marjorie Reed Gordon, Mindy and Jon Gray, Donna Karan, Michael Kors, Kinga Lampert, Aerin Lauder, Jane Lauder, Jo Carole and Ronald S. Lauder, Judy and Leonard Lauder, Laura and Gary Lauder, William P. Lauder, Pat and John Rosenwald, Jeanne and Herbert Siegel, Jamie Tisch, Lizzie and Jonathan Tisch, Vera Wang, Lois Robbins and Andrew Zaro.

The elegant design and décor elements for the evening were generously provided by Bryan Rafanelli, longtime BCRF supporter.

The event’s underwriters included ANN Inc.; Kinga and Edward Lampert; von Mandl Family Foundation; Cindy and Rob Citrone; Condé Nast; Firmenich; Roslyn and Leslie Goldstein; Hearst Corporation; The Lauder Foundation—Leonard & Judy Lauder Fund; Rafanelli Events; Winston Flowers. 

To learn more about the Hot Pink Party or to donate, click here.