Recap: 26th Annual Star-Studded Gateway For Cancer Research Gala!

Tavi J of Chi@Glance

This past Saturday was the Gateway for Cancer Research Star-Studded Gala. $3.5 Million Dollars was raised! Gateway for Cancer Research is a nonprofit organization committed to funding innovative cancer research that helps people living with cancer to feel better, live longer, and conquer cancer TODAY! 99 Cents of every dollar Gateway receives directly funds Phase I and Phase II cancer clinical trials at leading research institutions across the country and abroad. Since 1991, Gateway has supported more than 150 clinical trials and funded over $70 million in breakthrough cancer research. All proceeds from the gala will help support trials across ALL cancer types, including breast, blood, and lung cancers.

I was lucky enough to be invited back to interview the celebrities for this year themed “Gateway to Oz” gala. Guests were treated to a magical journey beginning with a unique culinary experience. The evening was then capped off with a special presentation and world renowned entertainment.

Speaking of entertainment let’s talk Red Carpet! This year’s head liners were EARTH WIND and FIRE.

Earth Wind and Fire

Other celebrity entertainers were:

Tavi J and Pia Toscano

My interview with Pia Toscano really stood out to me. She was a finalist on season 10 of American Idol. One thing about cancer is you can’t give up. With life in general we ALL have our ups and downs, but you can’t give up. I asked Pia what advice would you give to other people who are looking to break into the music industry?

PIA: “You can’t let a few No’s discourage you. I think the soundtrack of my life has always been NO NO NO. You have to use that to fuel the fire in you to work harder, to get stronger, to have not only the last laugh, but just to do it for yourself. Be the best you, you can be. Take all the no’s and use it as constructive crticsm and don’t let it defeat you.”

“NEVER GIVE UP.” Cancer has ruined so many lives. We must keep striving to find a cure. Head to www.gatewaycr.org to find out how you can get involved. Keep scrolling for more pics, post press release, and ofcourse I’m giving you the deets on my Gala look. 🙂

Tavi J with Teresa Hall Bartels, President, Gateway for Cancer Research

Richard J. Stephenson (Founder and Chairman of Cancer Treatment Centers of America) , Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson (CTCA Chairman of Functional Medicine) , Tavi J (Chicago Lifestyle Blogger), and Matteo Bocelli (Soloist)

My Graceful Interview Exit. LOL LOL LOL

“Gateway to Oz” Theme Red (green) Carpet!

THANKS TO THE FOLLOWNG FOR HELPING ME GET GALA READY!

Lash Extensions!  Amazing Lash                      1845 N Clybourn Avenue, Chicago, IL 60615   Lash Technician: Tierra 773.248.5274 www.amazinglashstudio.com

HAIR: Chicago Hair – 674 N Dearborn, Chicago, IL 60654 – Chihairimports.com – 312.642.0095 MAKEUP: Sephora – Water Tower Place – Make Up Artist: Danny – Sephora.com to schedule appointment

Dress: Crossover Sequined Evening Gown by Badgley Mischka https://www.badgleymischka.com/eg1992/

GATEWAY FOR CANCER RESEARCH

ANNOUNCES $3.5 MILLION RAISED AT ITS 26^TH ANNUAL CURES GALA

“GATEWAY TO OZ” 

“Earth, Wind & Fire” Headlined the Night of Star-Studded Entertainment

Benefiting Cancer Research Clinical Trials

Schaumburg, Ill.  (November 19, 2017) – Gateway for Cancer Research (Gateway), a non-profit dedicated to funding transformational cancer research, raised $3.5 million at its 26^th annual Cures Gala, “Gateway to OZ,” held on Saturday, November 18, 2017 in the Grand Ballroom at McCormick Place in Chicago.

The event was co-chaired and presented by Richard J Stephenson, founder and chairman of Cancer Treatment Centers of America® (CTCA) and Gateway for Cancer Research and Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson, CTCA Chairman of Functional Medicine and member of the Gateway Board of Directors; and honorary chair Jim Gordon, Founder & Managing Partner of The Edgewater Funds.

With more than 800 guests in attendance, teams of young dancers from Chicago’s Gus Giordano Dance School led the way down the Yellow Brick Road to an evening of star-studded entertainment worthy of the Emerald City, including performances by Matteo Bocelli, son of Andrea Bocelli, at his inaugural Chicago performance; Billy Gilman, the youngest singer to ever reach #1 on the Billboard Top Country Album charts; Pia Toscano, American Idol finalist; and Laura Bretan, America’s Got Talent finalist and “Golden Buzzer” winner and opera singer. Guests danced the night away to a show-stopping performance by pop legends and event headliners, Earth, Wind & Fire.

“Gateway to Oz” showcased a number of the 57 clinical trials currently underway, including Dr. Nilofer Azad of Johns Hopkins University and her patient Rukhsana Siddiqi. Dr. Azad is conducting a trial on pancreatic adenocarcinoma and evaluating the benefits of a molecular therapy with epigenetic modulating drugs in high risk patients. The goal is to see a reduced reoccurrence of pancreatic cancer and reduced side effects for an improved quality of life. At the gala, Dr. Azad, Ms. Siddiqi and her family shared her success story from the Gateway-funded trial.

Guests enjoyed a custom culinary experience of OZ, inspired and designed by Chef Markus Ford. The epicurean journey began with Emerald City forest greens with compressed pickled honeydew, edamame mousse and basil mint emulsion; Ruby beet topped filet of beef with piquillo infused yams and red wine gastrique; and Yellow Brick Road golden butter genoise cremeux with golden delicious apple conserve and Goldschlager cremé.

Live auctions, with such extraordinary packages as The Gateway to OZ Experience in “Emerald City” Sydney, Australia and a priceless “Go Cubs Go” Meet & Greet opportunity with Chicago Cub Anthony Rizzo, were led by America’s premiere “auctiontainer” Letitia Frye. Exclusive silent auction packages included a Napa Valley Wine trip for two to four premier wineries; as well as an exquisite art-deco diamond bracelet. Individual tickets to the event were $1,000, and guests also had the opportunity to select higher level sponsorships.

Gateway for Cancer Research proudly acknowledges its premier sponsors: Mr. and Dr. Richard J Stephenson; Andi & Jim Gordon/The Edgewater Funds; Cancer Treatment Centers of America; The Richard Templer Family; Satter Foundation; Grund & Leavitt; KattenMuchinRosenman LLP; Kenneth C. Griffin Charitable Fund; Rising Tide Foundation; Stellar Insurance, LTD; Thurston Family Foundation; CliftonLarsonAllen, International Capital & Management Company; and McGuireWoods.

Since Gateway for Cancer Research was founded 26 years ago, more than 3,600 patient lives in 150+ Gateway-funded clinical trials at institutions worldwide have been directly impacted, and many more cancer patients have benefited as a result of the critically important work. Proceeds from the event specifically support crucial Phase I and Phase II patient trials across all cancer types, including breast, blood, lung, brain, pancreatic and pediatric cancers.

ABOUT GATEWAY FOR CANCER RESEARCH

“Our mission instills a sense of urgency to accelerate the pace of cancer research,” said Teresa Hall Bartels, president, Gateway for Cancer Research. “Our dedication to investing in novel patient-centric approaches, combined with the increasing rate of treatment advances, leads us to believe that together we can conquer cancer in our lifetime.”

Gateway for Cancer Research℠ is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to funding innovative cancer research that helps people living with cancer to feel better, live longer and conquer cancer TODAY! Thanks to generous underwriting, 99 cents of every dollar Gateway receives directly funds Phase I and Phase II cancer clinical trials at leading research institutions across the country and abroad. Since 1991, Gateway has supported more than 150 clinical trials and funded over $70 million in breakthrough cancer research. Get involved today by visiting www.GatewayCR.org, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/demandcures and join the conversation on Twitter at @DemandCures, #BeAGateway.

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