It was a scene painted in hope and resilience at the New York Hilton in Midtown this past Friday, where heartbeats of nearly 800 attendees synchronized with a shared vision – a future without breast cancer. The room blossomed in shades of pink, from subtle ribbon pins to bold statement coats, mirroring the inner strength and solidarity of everyone present. This wasn’t just any gathering; it was the Breast Cancer Research Foundation’s (BCRF) annual awards luncheon, a beacon of light and determination in the ongoing fight against breast cancer.
The atmosphere, though touched by the soft patter of rain outside, was anything but dampened inside. Spearheading the event with grace was journalist and breast cancer warrior, Alina Cho. Her words resonated with undeniable truth, “BCRF stands as the gold standard with a singular, unwavering mission: to find a cure for breast cancer.” And truly, isn’t that a world we all dream of?
Among the galaxy of influencers and changemakers, the first honoree, Olufunmilayo I. Olopade, shone brightly. This Nigerian oncologist, a force of nature in her own right, received the Jill Rose Award for Scientific Excellence. Her groundbreaking contributions to breast cancer genetics and relentless pursuit to bridge racial disparities in cancer outcomes remind us that heroes don’t always wear capes – sometimes, they wear lab coats.
After sweetening the day with a dessert break – because, let’s face it, a touch of sugar fuels the soul – the stage welcomed William P. Lauder. He presented the Sandra Taub Humanitarian Award to none other than designer Kendra Scott, a woman whose designs are paralleled only by her dedication to philanthropy. Scott’s heartfelt dedication of the award to her late friend, Holley, was a poignant reminder of the personal battles at the heart of these global wars. With an astounding $1.7 million already donated to the cause, Scott vowed this was just the beginning. Her passion? To see the BCRF’s mission fulfilled, and its doors closed for good because a cure had been found.
The emotional highpoint cascaded when October 20, 2023, was etched in history as “Evelyn Lauder Day” in New York City. Commemorating the woman who planted the seed for the BCRF back in 1993, this tribute celebrated a 30-year legacy of groundbreaking research advancements. Evelyn’s vision was a world cloaked not in fear, but in hope, and the astounding $60.2 million awarded this year in grants to over 250 researchers worldwide is a testament to that.
As the event folded with the presentation of grant awards to several attending researchers, one thing was crystal clear: each person in that room was a thread in a larger tapestry of hope, resilience, and unwavering dedication. And for everyone who believes in a world where pink is just a color, and not a reminder of a disease that takes too much, this day was more than an event; it was a promise of triumph yet to come.
