The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Donate Now WINTER 2010

The Boston Hot Pink Party

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation's Boston Hot Pink Party, generously underwritten by BlackBerry and Verizon Wireless, began with an informative Symposium at the Boston Harbor Hotel on May 7th.



Scientific Advisory Committee Chairman Clifford Hudis, MD, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, moderated the panel discussion entitled, "Breast Cancer Is Not One Disease: Now What?" Dr. Hudis told the packed room that, rather than seeing the complexity of breast cancer as a roadblock, the fact that breast cancer is a set of many diseases presents an opportunity to develop specifically targeted treatments.

Dr. Joshua LaBaer (Harvard School of Medicine) described his group's high-tech efforts, which have resulted in a "library" of over 10,000 genes that are now being explored. Their goal is to develop a simple blood test to detect the many subtypes of breast cancer at its earliest stages.

Dr. Nadine Tung (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center) noted that her BCRF grant supports work she is doing with Dr. Stuart Schnitt; it is focused on breast cancer in women who have inherited BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations. In particular, they seek to identify the common threads that tie this relatively rare subtype (up to about 10% of women with breast cancer) to the much more common breast cancers in the general population that act like those that are BRCA1- and BRCA2-positive.

Dr. Nancy Lin (Dana-Farber Cancer Institute) described her group's efforts to find ways to counteract brain metastases, a particular problem in some subtypes of breast cancer such as those that are HER2-positive. They are leading a clinical trial that has recruited women across the U.S., to better predict which breast cancers are most likely to spread to the brain, and to develop new treatments.

Dr. Hyman Muss (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), has devoted his research to the study of breast cancer in older patients and noted that the average age of onset in the U.S. is 63 and is exploring the impact of age on all aspects of breast cancer care.

The party that followed honored and celebrated New England's premier breast cancer researchers. The 300 guests in attendance had the opportunity to take instant photos in the interactive BlackBerry photo booths. Television journalist Kelley Tuthill, of WCVB NewsCenter 5, hosted the evening. As a breast cancer survivor, Tuthill explained how she benefited from BCRF supported research: "I was diagnosed at 36 with cancer that was successfully treated with Herceptin - proof positive that research saves lives and that there is life after breast cancer."

Larry Lucchino, President and CEO of the Boston Red Sox, received the Second Annual Boston Humanitarian Award for his admirable work with the Red Sox Foundation to support cancer research. The award was presented to Lucchino by close friends Dr. Carolyn Kaelin and Mike Barnicle, MSNBC political analyst. One very fortunate table won 12 exclusive Swarovski encrusted BlackBerry Pearl Flip Smartphones designed by Vera Wang. The event was Co-Chaired by Linda Waintrup, Elisha Daniels, and Carolyn Kaelin, MD, PHD, with Vice-Chairs Sandy Krakoff and Judie Schlager. Raising over $500,000, the evening will help sustain BCRF's investment in the best scientific talent in the New England area.

Noted Bostonians in attendance were fellow Red Sox owner, John Henry, and host committee members, Linda Pizzutti and Stacey Lucchino. This year's event was made possible by the generous underwriting of BlackBerry and Verizon, The Ruth and Carl Shapiro Family Foundation, Friends of Mel Foundation, Donna and James Stearns, and David Yurman.