On Monday night, NYC’s finest walked the black carpet into the Cipriani Club 55 for the annual Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation’s Ball. The star-studded event is a beloved tradition and cause that attracted big names like Tommy Hilfiger, Heidi Klum, and Devon Windsor. After a night of drinking, dancing, and auctioning, the Angel Ball raised over $3 million to support the scientists and doctors who focus on less toxic treatments for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and other blood cancers. Emceed by Keke Palmer and with lively performances by Flo Rida and Patti Labelle, the Angel Ball was an unforgettable night.
Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation was the last wish of actress and writer Gabrielle Rich Aouad. She hoped to establish a foundation which would improve the lives of leukemia patients while undergoing treatments by finding effective and less toxic treatment options for them. Her mother and grammy-winner,Denise Rich, founded the organization when her daughter Gabrielle passed away due to a rare form of leukemia in 1996. Rich led a moment of silence and prayer to honor those who were suffering or had passed from cancer.
“In the past 20 years, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation has led the way in the quest for cures,” announced Palmer at the opening ceremonies, “The FDA has approved 25 new therapies to treat patients with blood cancers.” The foundation’s work is paying off and it deserves to be celebrated. Also being celebrated at the ball are the winners of the Angel Gabrielle Award for incredible contributions to cancer research. This year, Mark Leder (CEO of Sun Capital Partners, Inc.) and Amy & Brian France (NASCAR and the Luke & Meadow Foundation) were presented for their hard work. The fabulous ball ended with everyone on the dancefloor and an auction that raised millions of dollars for an amazing cause.
By Sonja Grunfeld
