On February 18, more than 200 supporters of the Palm Beach community gathered virtually to participate in Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s premier event “Cocktails and Conversation with Our Doctors.” Graciously chaired by Institute Trustees Phyllis Krock and Judie Schlager, Dana-Farber doctors and researchers discussed the latest cancer discoveries and research advances at the Institute. In addition to the event, the Palm Beach community raised more than $1.6 million through a special appeal to support lifesaving cancer treatments and groundbreaking research discoveries for patients around the world.
The event kicked off with remarks from legendary singer-songwriter and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame James Taylor and his wife, Kim. At the top of the evening, alongside Kim and their son, Harry, Taylor gave a heartfelt performance of “You Can Close Your Eyes.”
During the conversation portion of the night, Dana-Farber’s physician-scientists elaborated on what excites them about the future of cancer research and care, and how the Palm Beach community continues to contribute to this progress. Laurie H. Glimcher, MD, president and CEO, shared her appreciation for the Palm Beach community and gave an exclusive preview of The Dana-Farber Campaign.
Dana-Farber physician-scientist speakers included Kenneth Anderson, MD, director of the Jerome Lipper Multiple Myeloma Center and LeBow Institute for Myeloma Therapeutics, and the Kraft Family Professor of Medicine; Judy Garber, MD, MPH, chief of Cancer Genetics and Prevention and the Susan F. Smith Chair; Christopher Lathan, MD, MS, MPH, chief clinical access and equity officer and associate medical director of the Dana-Farber Network; Robert J. Mayer, MD, faculty vice president for Academic Affairs and the Stephen B. Kay Family Professor of Medicine; Kimmie Ng, MD, MPH, director of Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Center and director of Clinical Research in the Center for Gastrointestinal Oncology; and Eric P. Winer, MD, chief clinical development officer, senior vice president for Medical Affairs, chief of the Division of Breast Oncology and the Thompson Chair in Breast Cancer Research.
The evening’s vice chairs were Institute Trustee Harvey Berger and his wife, Chrysanthi, Phyllis and Paul Fireman, and Institute Trustee Michele Kessler and her husband, Howard. The co-chairs were Bruce Beal and Frank Cunningham, Dana-Farber Society member Rose Dana and her husband, Institute Trustee and Dana-Farber Society member Charles Dana, Judy and Jim Harpel, Institute Trustee Sandy Krakoff, Vicki and Arthur Loring, Tom Quick, Institute Trustee Jean Sharf, and Roberta and Stephen R. Weiner. The virtual event was produced by Bryan Rafanelli.
The night ended on a bright note as Taylor performed “Shower the People” and attendees sang along. Just before the performance began, Kenneth Anderson, MD, offered a moment of gratitude when he said, “Your heartfelt commitment, kindness, and support of our clinical and research efforts represents the epitome of caring for one another and helping those in need.”