PR Mogul Norah Lawlor just updated THE charity must-attend-event of the season. On a very special autumn evening in New York, leaders in science, philanthropy, and culture will gather at Apella on East 29th Street to honor innovation, compassion, and progress at the 28th Annual Waxman Collaboration for a Cure Gala. Hosted by the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, this year’s celebration—fittingly themed A Celebration of Breakthroughs—marks nearly three decades of relentless pursuit toward curing cancer through collaboration and scientific excellence.

Set for October 22, 2025, the evening promises to blend elegance with purpose, uniting some of the most dedicated figures in medical research and charitable giving. The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation, established with the mission to eradicate cancer by funding collaborative and cross-disciplinary research, continues to stand as one of the most respected institutions in its field. Each year, the gala becomes a cornerstone of New York’s philanthropic calendar—a convergence of visionaries, researchers, and benefactors who share the belief that progress in science begins with unity of effort.

TICKETS: https://www.waxmancancer.org/waxman-gala-tickets/

Honoring Those Who Inspire Change

This year’s honorees reflect the Foundation’s wide-reaching ethos: compassion in action, leadership through service, and brilliance in discovery.

Jean Shafiroff, philanthropist, television personality, and author, will be recognized for her tireless dedication to charitable causes and her influential role in advancing health and humanitarian initiatives across New York and beyond. Her ability to bridge social influence with sincere advocacy for the underprivileged has made her a defining figure in modern philanthropy.

Robert Wiener, Chairman Emeritus of Maxx Properties, will be celebrated for his commitment to community enrichment and long-standing support of medical and scientific advancement. A respected figure in both business and charitable circles, Wiener exemplifies the leadership that fuels the Foundation’s work—steady, generous, and transformative.

Jeff Settleman, Ph.D., Senior Vice President and Chief Scientific Director of Oncology Research and Development at Pfizer, will be honored for his groundbreaking contributions to cancer research. His career, distinguished by a rare combination of academic rigor and visionary leadership, represents the very heart of the Foundation’s mission: to turn scientific collaboration into real-world cures.

Science, Philanthropy, and the Art of Collaboration

The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation has long championed the idea that collaboration, rather than competition, is the true engine of discovery. Since its founding, it has funded researchers across leading institutions worldwide, supporting projects that push the boundaries of understanding cancer’s origins and treatments. By fostering international partnerships, the Foundation ensures that breakthroughs are shared, accelerating the collective march toward prevention and cure.

The annual Collaboration for a Cure event is not merely a gala—it is a celebration of the scientific method as a shared human endeavor. Guests who attend find themselves immersed in an evening that unites the city’s cultural vitality with the gravity of scientific purpose. The conversations are as lively as the cause is profound, as doctors, donors, and advocates exchange ideas over candlelit tables overlooking the East River.

The elegant Apella venue, with its sleek architecture and luminous views, sets the perfect tone for an evening devoted to hope and progress. A reception filled with fine cuisine, heartfelt speeches, and moments of reflection underscores the meaning behind every research grant and discovery made possible by the Foundation’s supporters.

A Legacy of Impact

For nearly half a century, the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation has built a legacy rooted in collaboration. Its researchers have contributed to major advances in understanding genetic mutations, identifying new drug targets, and pioneering early detection methods that have changed lives across the globe. Each year, the Foundation reaffirms its mission through this event, where breakthroughs are not just celebrated—they are shared.

The Waxman Collaboration for a Cure embodies the Foundation’s core philosophy: that science and compassion must move forward together. Funds raised during the evening will directly support international research collaborations, young investigator programs, and cutting-edge studies that continue to push cancer research beyond boundaries of geography and discipline.

An Evening to Remember

As guests arrive on October 22nd, the atmosphere will reflect both the gravity of purpose and the joy of achievement. Scientists will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with philanthropists, united by a common goal—to make cancer not a life sentence, but a curable condition. Throughout the evening, stories of progress will intertwine with moments of gratitude, illuminating the ongoing power of shared discovery.

By the time the night draws to a close, applause will echo not just for the honorees, but for the collective spirit that has defined twenty-eight years of collaboration. The evening will reaffirm that breakthroughs do not belong to one individual or institution—they belong to all who believe in the power of partnership.

For those who attend, the 28th Waxman Collaboration for a Cure will stand as a testament to what can be achieved when intellect meets empathy, when science meets society, and when the pursuit of knowledge meets the deepest human desire—to heal.

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