The Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Donate Now WINTER 2010

15 Years of Puttin' On The Pink

"Puttin' On The Pink" was the theme for this year's Hot Pink Party on April 29th at the Waldorf=Astoria Hotel in New York City. Thanks to generous underwriting from BlackBerry, Verizon Wireless and many incredible friends, $4 million was raised to fuel the fight against breast cancer.


The fun-filled evening was full of surprises. Longtime BCRF supporter and the evening's emcee, Elizabeth Hurley, kicked off the party by raffling 11 very special Swarovski encrusted BlackBerry Pearl Flip Smartphones designed by Vera Wang exclusively for the event, which were awarded to the guests at one very lucky table. Then, Hugh Hildesley from Sotheby's announced an incredible auction item: a one-of-a-kind chance to mingle with Hollywood royalty, including access to the famous Vanity Fair Oscar Party, two round-trip Business Class seats to Los Angeles on Delta Air Lines, a two night stay at the fabulous and very chic Sunset Tower Hotel, a $3,000 allowance at the Donna Karan Collection store to purchase a gown, and topped off by an Estée Lauder makeover for the night. Hildesley continued the live auction by asking the audience to sponsor research time, with the goal of raising enough money to fund one research project for a year. The audience rose to the challenge and nearly $300,000 in total was raised by the evening's auction, thus assuring continued funding for a research initiative.

Speaking about how proud she was of BCRF's great progress, Evelyn Lauder, Founder and Chairman continued, "But make no mistake, our Foundation's ability to continue to fund the projects we have underway is in jeopardy without new dollars raised by the end of our fiscal year."

The Third Annual Roz and Les Goldstein Unsung Hero Award, created to honor an extraordinary friend who served as a constant support system to a woman who has or had breast cancer, was presented to Dr. Pat Cayne by Pat Rosenwald. Mrs. Rosenwald acknowledged how her dear friend "would drop whatever she was doing to help women just get through each day." Dr. Cayne explained that she had her own unsung heroes when she was diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago, and now she "can do for the newly diagnosed women, what my unsung heroes did for me." "It is about the Pat Caynes of the world - survivors and inspirations to us all - that fuels our determination for BCRF to be the very best it can be," said Myra Biblowit, BCRF President.

The highlight of the evening was Sir Elton John's introduction of his devoted friend, singing legend Liza Minnelli, whose fabulous performance was memorable. Liza stopped midway through her act, refusing to perform "New York, New York" until $50,000 was donated. Five very generous donors stood up and pledged $10,000 each so the show could go on.

Alongside Elizabeth Hurley and Sir Elton John, several stars came out in support of the Foundation, including stage and screen actors Jane Krakowski, Alan Cumming, Marilu Henner, and Jasika Nicole; 2009 Miss USA Kristen Dalton; fashion designers Donna Karan, Tommy Hilfiger, Vera Wang, Michael Kors, and Christian Siriano; fashion model Hilary Rhoda; and makeup maven Bobbi Brown.

This year's amazing event was made possible by the generous underwriting of BlackBerry, Verizon Wireless, Roz and Les Goldstein, the Hearst Corporation, Gail and Richard Siegal, and Evelyn and Leonard Lauder. The Foundation also thanks co-chairmen Bonnie Roche Bronfman and Charles Bronfman, Marjorie Reed Gordon, Cornelia Guest, Donna Karan, Kinga Lampert, Jane Lauder, Jo Carole and Ronald Lauder, Karen and William Lauder, Cynthia and Dan Lufkin, Jeanne and Herb Siegel, Ingrid Sischy and Sandra Brant, Lizzie and Jon Tisch, Vera Wang and Aerin Lauder Zinterhofer.