Midsummer Socials

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CRI Staff: James DiGioia, Kelsey Fowler, Leslie Salter, Shan Grant, Rupinder Kaur, Shasell Negron, Michelle Pilloff, and Lynne Harmer

130 young professionals and students gathered for an exclusive two-hour “Midsummer Social” at Mantra 986 in midtown Manhattan to support the inaugural event of the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) Young Philanthropists.

The CRI Young Philanthropists are a network of socially-conscious, young professionals in their 20s and 30s who are committed to supporting the Cancer Research Institute’s efforts to advance immunological research toward the development of cancer vaccines and other immune-based cancer therapies.The Cancer Research Institute formed the group earlier this year to provide the next generation of philanthropic leaders an opportunity to become “a new force for good” that will help create a world free from the fear of cancer.

Alexis Feldman, Sara Karp, Madcone Dac, Margot Wasserman, Jill Wasserstein, and Robin Felnberg

Event chair Stephen Balik and CRI Young Philanthropist chair Leslie Salter welcomed everyone who turned out. Guests enjoyed a top-shelf open bar and private access to Mantra’s second-floor lounge and balcony overlooking Second Avenue. A VIP prize drawing featured: a weekend getaway package including two nights at The Premier Hotel of the Millennium Broadway in Times Square plus dinner for two at the 4-star restaurant, Aureole; four box seats to the Mets vs. Braves game at Shea Stadium, courtesy of General Glass International; and an official NFL football signed by New York Giants quarterback were on hand.

The event raised more than $11,000 from ticket purchases and some very generous donations, but, more importantly, started relationships with a lot of young people who are enthusiastic about the Cancer Research Institute and who want to do whatever they can to help to raise money for our research. All proceeds will go directly toward funding the Institute’s world-class scientists and their leading-edge laboratory and clinical investigations in cancer immunology.

Megan Harney, Andrew Lefkowitz, Caleb Smith, Christina Beckett, Lindley McGowen, and Paul Lacey

The Institute extends its gratitude to the event sponsors: Aureole NY, General Glass International, Millennium Hotels, Tremont Group Holdings, Inc., and OppenheimerFunds, Inc. CRI also gives a special thanks to the event host committee: David Anson, Stephen Balik, Alexis Feldman, Kelsey Fowler, Shan Grant, Kirsten Hansen, Norita Holipas, Meredith Meyer, Susan Nacorda, Shasell Negron, Ryan Phillips, Blake J. Reidy, Leslie Salter, Peter Siegal Caleb Smith, Caitlin Tormey, Killian Tormey, and Jill Wallerstein.

The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) is the world’s only non-profit organization dedicated exclusively to the support and coordination of scientific and clinical efforts that will lead to the immunological treatment, control, and prevention of cancer. Guided by a world-renowned Scientific Advisory Council that includes five Nobel Prize winners and thirty members of the National Academy of Sciences, CRI supports cutting-edge cancer research at top medical centers and universities throughout the world. The Cancer Research Institute is ushering in a new era of scientific progress, hastening the discovery of effective cancer vaccines and other immune-based therapies that are providing new hope to cancer patients. www.cancerresearch.org

Delia Abitant, Allison Hyde, and Clair Lunt

Erica Mele and Blake Reidy

Lolita and Mike Festo

Kevin Smith, Jen Castelli, Ryan Phillips, and Tim Boggs

Matthew Bernstein, Caleb Smith, and Jeremy Paolercio

Jamie Fried and Erica Mele

James Sullivan and Josh Katz

Kirsten Hansen and Jonathan Dixon

Christina Beckett and Megan Harney

Alexandra Rosner, Coleen Ong, and Rudy Scott

Dr. Victoria Veytsman, Blake Clifton, Elizabeth Tatleon, and Todd Whiting

Meredith Stampler and Brian Brewer

Amanda Robin and Eden Cohen

Todd Whiting, Jennifer Quasem, and Amanda Greenfield

Rob Sneider, Leon Shim, Andrea Phillips, and Josephine Vella

Caitlin Kelley and Katie Trionfetti

Amy Bauer, Jess Nonnemacher, and Lisa Miller

Gina DeCandra and Michelle Dackis

Kevin, Emily Lommers, Bernie Childs, Sarah Grogan, and Kevin Kornobis

Blake Clifton

Courtney Bartrey and Caitlin Tormey

Alex Smith, Rob Sneider, Leon Shim, and Maryssa Miller

Ross Banon and Pete Seigal

Jennifer Quasem, Amanda Greenfield, Clarissa Silva, and Jeff Smith

Lisa Deutsch and Stacey Ross

Malik Simon and Marie Burgos

Alex Smith and Todd Whiting

Shan Grant, Shasell Negron, and Rupinder Kaur

Alexis Feldman, Eric Moran, and Brittany Feldman

Lindley McGowen and Paul Lacey

Christine Kaslyn and Katie Adelhardt

Kelly See and Geraldine Wu

Jessica Oppenheim and Andrew Lefkowitz

Jessica Oppenheim, Patrick Brown, and Monica Perschetz

Alison Strassle and John Ciuffreda

Pat Clifford and Killian Tormey

The last Thursday in July, the young professionals of Friends of Hudson River Park known as the Hudson River Peers hosted a very successful event with more than 375 attending aboard the Frying Pan in Hudson River Park. Despite the tight timeframe for planning the event, the Advisory Board of Hudson River Peers and the fantastic Host Committee, 414 people purchased tickets and brought in multiple beverage sponsors and various kind donors for the silent auction.

The Hudson River Peers were also supported by John and Angela Krevey of the Frying Pan and their crew by providing the space, the food and their charming hospitality. Also providing tremendous help were the Chelsea Brewing Company, Moretti, Right Gin, Lucid Absinthe and Boylan Bottling for providing guests with superior beverages and service. Another special thank-you to DJ Mel DeBarge who donated his time and music skills to the event.

Stars, stars and more stars flocked in droves to the Cinema Society & Michael Kors' screening of “Iron Man” recently.

Cinema Society screenings are as much about the guest list as they are about the films. That’s the result of the CS’s creator Andrew Saffir who brings them out in droves like the one the hosted with Michael Kors for the screening of “Iron Man.”

The film, which received universal raves and stormed the box office, was directed by Jon Favreau, and stars Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Terrence Howard and Jeff Bridges, all of whom were in attendance at the screening at the Tribeca Grand Hotel which followed by dinner at The Odeon.

Saffir’s and Kors’ dazzling group included Diana Ross, Liv Tyler, Helena Christensen, Michael Stipe, Harvey Weinstein and Georgina Chapman, Sidney Lumet, Eva Amurri, Leelee Sobieski, Tracey Ullman, Famke Janssen, Justin Theroux, Malin Akerman, Russell Simmons, Adam Duritz (“Counting Crows”), Mamie Gummer, Bebe Neuwirth, Benjamin Bratt, Steve Guttenberg, Nicole Miller, Aerin Lauder, Tory Burch, Zac Posen, May Andersen, Maggie Rizer, Carol Alt, Bettina Zilkha Jay McInerney, Marcus Schenkenberg, Andre Harrell, Zoe Kravitz, Troy Garrity, Hana Soukupova, Stephen Huvane, Kelly Bensimon, Richard and Sessa Johnson, Elettra Wiedemann, Joy Bryant, Beth Ostrosky, Alex Lundqvist, Marina Rust Connor, Daniel Benedict, Valesca Guerrand-Hermes, Tim and Helen Schifter, Anh Duong, Johannes Huebl, Olivia Palermo, Allison Sarofim, Sam Shaffer and Kathryn Neale.