Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF)

TheHollywoodTimes.today

November 21, 2017

hosted

the 2017 New York Dinner

featuring guest host

Whoopi Goldberg

with special musical performance by

Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer

Jennifer Hudson

Peter and Laurie Grauer, Whoopi Goldberg, Nina Grauer, and Michael Milken (Photo Credit: Patrick McMullan)

Honoring

Peter and Laurie Grauer

WHAT:

Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), a nonprofit organization founded by Michael Milken dedicated to identifying and funding groundbreaking cancer research programs, hosted the 2017 New York Dinner at Cipriani 42^nd Street New York. Legendary actress, comedian, and television host Whoopi Goldberg served as guest host for the event. The evening concluded with a stunning performance by Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson. Proceeds from the event, which raised $18 million, will support the partnership between PCF and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide precision oncology to all veterans by establishing eleven centers of excellence. By providing access to their more than 9 million patient records, PCF researchers will be able to discover new and better treatments that will impact all prostate cancer patients. The evening was the organization’s second largest fundraising night.

Notable attendees included: Michael and Lori Milken, Whoopi Goldberg, Jennifer Hudson, Laurie and Peter Grauer, Alex Rodriguez, Jennifer Lopez, Dr. David Shulkin, Julia and David Koch, Spencer Segura, Candace Bushnell, Jim Coleman, Debra and Leon Black, Seth Bernstein, Nina Grauer, Plum and Dr. Jonathan Simons, Andrew von Eschenbach, Toni and Dr. Stuart Holden, Tina Storper, Larry Leeds, Bonnie Pfeifer Evans, Kristen and David Steinberg, Mitchell Modell, Maria andKenneth Fishel, Debbie and Cliff Robbins, Camille and Larry Ruvo, and Tammy and Keith Frankel.

The evening kicked off with Michael Milken and guest host Whoopi Goldberg outlining the evening’s three themes: Women in Science, Big Data, and Family. (“What do you think of Big Data?” asked Milken. “I don’t know, maybe I should spend some time with him,” quipped Goldberg). After a beautiful rendition of the national anthem sung by army veteran Constance Campbell, guests learned about the ways PCF supports young female researchers through the PCF Young Investigator program. The Big Data portion of the evening included a speech by Dr. David Shulkin, Secretary of Veteran Affairs, who was presented by Dr. Jonathan Simons, PCF President and CEO. Dr. Shulkin spoke on the VA’s commitment to transformation and modernization, including aggressively attacking prostate cancer, the most common form of cancer among veterans. The theme of Family was exemplified by the night’s honorees, Peter and Laurie Grauer, who were recognized for their commitment to cancer research and dedication to increasing the number of women in leadership positions, both in science and beyond. The evening concluded with a rousing performance by Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson, who sang hit songs including “Love You I Do,” “Spotlight,” “And I am Telling You,” and a Whitney Houston medley that got the crowd to their feet.

Live auctions for the evening included the Home Run Challenge, a national baseball tour with Michael Milken in his private plane, and the Party Like A Rockstar package, including four tickets to the Billboard Music Awards, access to the event’s rehearsal and after party, and a two-night stay at the Wynn Las Vegas. Silent auction items and events included Coachella 2018 as a guest of Beyonce; two tickets to the Super Bowl; accessories by Christian Louboutin and Louis Vuitton; dinner with George Clooney and more. Throughout the evening, military veteran guests in the audience were recognized. Additionally, seven of the organization’s VA Network Centers of Excellence received funding through the generous donations of attendees. AllianceBernstein CEO Seth Bernstein’s table, which included guests Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, donated a total of $1 million to the PCF Young Investigator program.

PCF’s Board of Directors includes business leaders such as Andrew J. Astrachan, James Blair, Steve Burd, Peter Grauer, David H. Koch, Honorable Earle Mack, Neil Rodin, Andrew von Eschenbach, MD; Drew Pinsky, MD; and radio and television hostClark Howard.

(Photo Credits: Patrick McMullan. See individual photo for credit.)

WHERE: Cipriani 42^nd Street

About the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF):

The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) is the world’s leading philanthropic organization funding and accelerating prostate cancer research. Founded in 1993, PCF has raised more than $660 million and provided funding to more than 2,000 research programs at more than 200 cancer centers and universities. The PCF global research enterprise now extends to 19 countries. PCF advocates for greater awareness of prostate cancer and more efficient investment of governmental research funds for transformational cancer research. Its efforts has helped produce a 20-fold increase in government funding for prostate cancer.

For further information on the PCF, please visit http://www.pcf.org/

F: www.facebook.com/PCF.org | T: www.twitter.com/PCFnews

About Whoopi Goldberg

Winner of the coveted EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards) actress, comedian, author, and television host Whoopi Goldberg has been entertaining audiences for more than thirty years. Along with memorable roles in films and television shows such as Sister Act, Ghost, and Stark Trek: The Next Generation, Goldberg is also known for her hilarious standup routines and for serving as a host on popular daytime television show The View. The multi-hyphenate talent has also hosted numerous awards shows, including four Academy Awards ceremonies.

About Jennifer Hudson

Jennifer Hudson is a Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer and actress, best known for her showstopping performance as Effie White in the 2006 film adaptation of the Broadway hit Dreamgirls. Since her debut on the music scene as a finalist on the third season of American Idol, Hudson has released three albums—Jennifer Hudson, I Remember Me, and JHUD—and has appeared in films and television shows including Smash and Empire. In 2015, Hudson made her Broadway debut as Shug Avery in the revival of The Color Purple.