LRF Hosts Hundreds at “Powered by Innovation” Themed Gala at the Historic Plaza Hotel in New York City
Photo by Monika Graff
New York, NY (October 5, 2017) –The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) – the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted exclusively to funding innovative lymphoma research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives and patient services – held its Annual Gala, Powered by Innovation, at the historic Plaza Hotel in New York City on Wednesday, September 27, 2017. The 2017 Annual Gala raised $926,105 in support of LRF’s research programs and support services.
Each year, the Lymphoma Research Foundation recognizes the efforts of several key partners for their contributions to advancing LRF’s critical mission of eradicating lymphoma and serving those touched by this disease. Bristol-Myers Squibb was recognized for its forward-looking vision in the field of immunotherapy with the 2017 Corporate Leadership Award. This year’s Distinguished Service Award was bestowed upon Nancy and Oliver W. Press, MD, PhD, while LRF volunteer Ben Haines was named this year’s recipient of the Freundlich Leadership Award in appreciation of his work as a patient advocate.
“We greatly value our continued collaboration with the Lymphoma Research Foundation to support patients, and we appreciate receiving this award in recognition of our efforts to accelerate research and develop novel treatments that we hope will make a true difference in the lives of people diagnosed with lymphoma,” said Awny Farajallah, MD, Vice President, Head of US Medical Oncology at Bristol-Myers Squibb. “All of our work at Bristol-Myers Squibb is “Powered by Innovation,” and we are thankful to have partners like the Lymphoma Research Foundation who share this motivation.”
Guests and honorees at this year’s Gala were encouraged to wear red in recognition of Blood Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM), held each year during the month of September to raise funds and awareness for blood cancer. Culminating with the 2017 Annual Gala, this year’s BCAM saw more than 100 buildings light red as a part of LRF’s Light it Red for Lymphoma initiative.
“Today, the number of people in the United States living with a form of lymphoma has risen to just over one million,” said Meghan Gutierrez, LRF Chief Executive Officer. “As this number continues to grow, events like this evening’s gala become even more critical to addressing the needs of the lymphoma community, by raising the funds necessary to support LRF’s research program and patient support services.”
For more information on the evening’s success and to support the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Gala, visit lymphoma.org/gala.
About the Lymphoma Research Foundation
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to funding innovative research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives and patient services. To date, LRF has awarded nearly $60 million in lymphoma-specific research.
For additional information on LRF’s research, education and services, visit lymphoma.org.
Contact:
Jake DiGregorio
508-414-8853
jdigregorio@lymphoma.org
