Photo by Laurel Marcus
Another night, another (dozen or so) galas here in the city that never sleeps. On Wednesday evening, I attended the “28th Annual Waxman Collaboration for a Cure: A Celebration of Breakthroughs” at Apella, an event space overlooking the East River.
Marion and Samuel Waxman, photo by Laurel Marcus
For nearly 50 years, the Samuel Waxman Institute has been instrumental in cancer research, and this year it officially became the Samuel Waxman Institute for Aging and Cancer, addressing the rising incidence of cancer associated with aging. They will operate as a subsidiary of The Mark Foundation for Cancer, serving as the global hub for collaborating with scientists worldwide to understand how the biology of aging influences cancer.
Samuel Waxman, with award winners Robert Wiener, Jean Shafiroff, and Jeffrey Settleman, Photo by Laurel Marcus
Honorees were Jeff Settleman, Ph.D, Senior Vice President, Chief Scientific Director, Oncology Research and Development at Pfizer; Robert Wiener, Chairman Emeritus of Maxx Properties; and last but definitely not least, Jean Shafiroff, philanthropist, TV personality, and author.
Marion Waxman, Jean Shafiroff, Nadja Sayej, Camellia Entekhabifard, photo by Laurel Marcus
The evening began with a full cocktail bar in a rather cramped and narrow space, along with a silent auction featuring Marchesa jewelry, a Carlos Falchi handbag, Tom Ford cosmetics, watches, luxury bedding, weekend trips, concert tickets for Lady Gaga, Maroon 5, and Sting at Mohegan Sun, and other items.
This was a rather intimate gala as they go, and it became apparent that the dining room was far from cavernous, to say the least. While we consumed a tasty burrata with asparagus, tomatoes, sugar snap peas in vinaigrette, Samuel Waxman spoke of the “lab accident” which led to the discovery of a Vitamin A derivative used for leukemia in the ‘80s and still in use by over 50,000 people this year.
He expounded on the fact that age is the primary factor in getting cancer, but they don’t know why, and mentioned that the spirit of collaboration with the nine-year-old Mark Foundation will do more to save lives.
Lucky the dog, photo by Laurel Marcus
Speaking of aging, there were perhaps a handful of young folks (meaning anyone under 50) at this event. My seat mates were the illustrious Susan Gutfreund and her jaded “purse rat” chihuaha Lucky – “he sleeps through everything – the theatre, the opera, galas, whatever,” his owner informed me – as well as Rebecca Seawright’s hubby Jay Hershenson who dared to begin a story mentioning Michael Bloomberg (a former colleague of Gutfreund’s late husband John) and was all but cut off.
This, along with just about everything else displeased Madame Gutfreund – the lighting (“You could do plastic surgery in here,”), the flowers, the meal, the program, the company – you name it. I can report that during dinner, there were several show tunes performed by John Riddle (Phantom of the Opera, Frozen on Broadway) and by Shayna Steele (Hairspray, Rent, Hair on Broadway), and Lucky did not react; however, if you get too close, he will bare his fangs.
After the meal of filet mignon or branzino (basically, the waiters took a 50/50 scattershot approach regardless of what you actually ordered lol), it was finally time for the honors. After a video of Jean was shown, she rose to accept the award from Assemblywoman Seawright.
Rebecca Seawright and Jean Shafiroff, photo by Laurel Marcus
Jean’s speech encompassed her love of philanthropy despite her “very middle-class roots,” her desire to do philanthropic work despite her two degrees from Columbia, and her tireless hosting of kick-off events for philanthropic galas in her home, while also serving on eight charitable boards.
She told the story of how her father received a diagnosis of cancer at 86 years old, but with excellent management of his disease, lived to the age of 93, eventually succumbing to something else unrelated. She also praised the Waxman Institute for its great work in putting the raised funds to good use. Side note: With matching funds, I believe they raised something like $2M last night.
Silent Auction, photo by Laurel Marcus
After the other honorees had their turn, it was time for the live auction – cruises, dinners, including one at Rao’s, but apparently, there were no takers for the Napa wine-tasting trip. Where’s Mr. Big from “Sex and the City”, who famously wanted to move to Napa because he was tired. And who can forget Carrie’s retort: “If you’re tired you take a napa, you don’t move to Napa.”
