The Breast Cancer Research Foundation held its fourth annual Symposium and Hot pink Luncheon in Palm Beach last Monday, February 12 at the Flagler Museum in Palm Beach and raised an astounding $305,000. Cartoonist and author MarisaAcocella Marchetto made a featured appearance before 220 guests including rock legend Bruce Springsteen. 

The event began with a panel discussion entitled New Approaches to Controlling Breast Cancer: Attacking the Molecules that Make Breast Cells Cancerous. It was moderated by the great Larry Norton MD, BCRF Scientific Director and Deputy Physician-in-Chief at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. The panelists wre Hedvig Hricak MD, PhD, Chair, Department of Radiology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Clifford Hudis MD, Chief, Breast Cancer Medicine Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Joyce Slingerland MD, PhD, Director Braman Family Breast cancer Insttute and Professor of Medicine, University of Miami.

Among the guests attending were: Donna Acquavella, Jessie Araskog, Camilla Brauer, Catherine Cahill, Eileen Cornacchia, Rena Rowan Damone, Jackie Weld Drake, Suzanne Elson, Emilia Fanjul, Tina Fanjul, Ginger Feuer, Jillian Gilmour, Betsy Green, Mai Harrison, Ellen Jaffe, Karen Katz, Florence Kaufman, Eleanora Kennedy, Michele Kessler, Sandy Krakoff, Maralyn Lakin, Laura Lassman, Evelyn Lauder, Carol Mack, Hillie Mahoney, Anna Mann, Talbott Maxey, Grace Meigher, Mary Alice Pappas, Pauline Pitt, Jane Pontarelli, Nancy Raquet, Katharine Rayner, Hilary Ross, Margery Russell, Frances Scaife, Judith Schlager, Ruth Shapiro, Shirley Small, Rita Tansky, Susan Taylor, Linda Waintrup, Susan Weingeroff, Ronnie Zinner.

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation® was founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder as an independent, not-for-profit 501(c) (3) organization dedicated to funding innovative clinical and genetic research. 

Because the BCRF has grown into such an enormous and enormously positive force in dealing with the almost epidemic issue of breast cancer in today’s world, it is easy to overlook that its success is also a tribute to the force of a single person -- one woman, in this case -- Mrs. Lauder, who was motivated to find a solution to a problem that has plagued the lives of millions of individuals and families all over the world.  It is truly an amazing accomplishment augmented by life-saving achievement, as well as an indication of what we are capable of when we set our minds to solving the great issues of our society today.

The Foundation supports scientists at leading medical centers worldwide whose research is focused on achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. A minimum of 85 cents of each dollar donated to the Foundation goes directly to breast cancer research and awareness programs. 

In October 2006, more than $24.3 million was awarded to 115 researchers across the U.S. and in Canada, Europe, Latin America, and Israel. Money magazine named BCRF one of America’s eight top charities.  The Foundation has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator, four stars, for five consecutive years, which means BCRF has outperformed most other charities in America in efficiently managing its finances.  For more information, visit www.bcrfcure.org or call 1.866.FIND.A.CURE.