Cures 2012 Fundaisers - Gala 'It's about the Patients'
Contact: Chris Hester, NewsMark
(708) 268-9222/chris@newsmark.com
Dianna Smoljan, NewsMark
(708) 479-7405/dianna@newsmark.com
Cures 2012 Annual Gala for Cancer Research:
Event Theme, “It’s All About the Patients,” is Urgent Reminder to
Demand Cures for Today’s Cancer Patients
Schaumburg, Ill – October, 2012 – The annual Demand Cures Today Cures Gala to benefit cancer research funded by The Gateway for Cancer Research, www.demandcurestoday.org, will be held on Saturday, November 3, at the Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park. This special evening will celebrate bold new cancer research and innovative treatments from clinical trials currently being funded by The Gateway. The Gala will raise money to fund additional cancer research to help continue the battle to find better treatments and cures for today’s cancer patients.
The evening will be highlighted by the gala’s mistress of ceremonies, Dina Bair, medical anchor at WGN-TV and cancer survivor, along with event co-chairs Joe and Claire Gregoire. Special guest, Lee DeWyze, American Idol Season 9 winner and Mount Prospect native, will lend his voice to the cause, performing in person for gala guests. As a young child, DeWyze lost his grandfather to cancer and knows firsthand the heartbreak of a cancer diagnoses, treatment and then losing loved ones to the disease.
The gala’s theme, “It’s About the Patients” is crucial to The Gateway’s mission to fund cancer research in traditional and new drug investigations, novel combination therapies, and complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) that help cancer patients feel better, live longer or be cured today. The Gateway’s vision is to shape a world in which a cancer diagnosis is no longer feared. The Gateway funds Phase I and Phase II human cancer clinical trials that are designed to improve treatment, extend a patient’s life or find a cure today.
Over the past 20 years, The Gateway has funded more than 100 Phase I and Phase II cancer clinical trials for 16 different types of cancer, including: breast cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, blood cancers, sarcoma, melanoma, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer and many others. With its focus on the patients, all trials funded by The Gateway must include a patient quality of life component.
“At The Gateway, it’s always and only about the patient and funding the critical cancer research to help find treatments and cures for today’s cancer patients,” said Gateway president, Lynette Bisconti, a
14-year breast cancer survivor.
“I am privileged to lead a cancer charitable organization that has relentlessly pushed our mission forward, year after year. We are able to fund innovative cancer research through the generosity of our donors. We are grateful for the donations by our sponsoring corporations, but also very grateful for the donations from our individual donors, the many participants in our Team Demand running charity program and from the individual fundraisers who hold dedicated events throughout the year,” Bisconti continued.
“These people truly represent the grassroots of America who struggle on a day to day basis with either their own cancer or cancer in a loved one,” she said.
“The Gateway is unique as a cancer charity. Ninety-nine cents of every dollar received funds cancer research” said Bisconti, “Gala guests and our donors know that their dollars are truly helping cancer research.”
“I am so grateful for The Gateway’s perseverance. Cancer continues to overwhelm our communities leaving our families robbed of mothers, fathers, siblings and lifelong friends,” said Michelle Ashby, a participant in a clinical research trial conducted at Washington University School of Medicine.
“Each person at The Gateway has a personal connection to cancer and they fully recognize the critical need for better treatments and cures. They have set aside all the bureaucracy to focus on the solving the growing cancer crisis, through funding innovative research” she said. Ashby, along with other clinical trial participants, will be featured celebrities at the gala.
“Cancer is a journey and we treasure the opportunity to honor the journey that clinical trial patients are taking. They are this generation’s cancer heroes. Each of the clinical trial participants is not only helping fight his/her own cancer, but is also leading the way for those who will follow in this journey,” Bisconti said.
“We cannot wait for the more traditional research that takes years to come to fruition, while thousands of cancer patients need help today,” said Ashby. In addition to raising funds for cancer research, the gala emphasizes the critical importance of supporting the kind of research that will lead to better treatments or cures for today’s cancer patients.
The November gala will help make it possible for The Gateway to fund additional innovative cancer research by leading medical researchers and clinicians all over the world. The goal of the evening is to raise more than $2 million dollars for cancer research.
Gala attendees will enjoy an evening focused on health, healing and advocating for today’s cancer patients. They will shop an elaborate silent auction filled with unique items, then enjoy cocktails and dinner, a fast-paced live auction, a compelling performance and video by Lee DeWyze, and a dance party featuring live music.
Items include Super Bowl XLVII tickets, an inclusive escape to Walt Disney World® with backstage access, and tickets to live television events, including “Dancing with the Stars” and the Emmys®. For individual ticket and table purchases, or to make a donation, visit The Gateway’s website at http://www.demandcurestoday.org/Cures_Gala_2012.
Major sponsors of the event include:
The Richard Templer Family; AmerisourceBergen Drug Corporation; PNC Bank; Cancer Treatment Centers of America; Rising Tide Gmbh; International Capital & Management Company; Magellan Corporation; BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois/HCSC; Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP; Integrated Media Solutions LLC; Litchfield Advisories, Inc; Stellar Insurance Company; J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation; CliftonLarsonAllan LLP; North Illinois Flight Center (N-Jet); Illinois Tool Works Inc.; Prime Logic Partners; Walgreen Company; and TEAM Companies.
ABOUT Demand Cures Today – The GATEWAY FOR CANCER RESEARCH
Demand Cures Today- The Gateway for Cancer ResearchSM is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization committed to funding innovative research and bold new ideas for lifesaving treatments. We’re demanding cures to improve and save the lives of today’s patients, now. Our mission to fund cancer research in traditional and new drug investigations, novel combination therapies, and complementary and alternative therapies (CAM) that help cancer patients feel better, live longer or be cured today. Since our founding in 1991, The Gateway has funded over $20 million in leading-edge research, including blending the best of conventional and complementary/alternative therapies. Follow us on Twitter https://twitter.com/demandcures and become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/DemandCures.
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