Dr. Stacie J.,Richard J Stephenson, Sharon Stone Honored at Women’s Cancer Fund Gala
On Thursday evening (March 16) inside the Four Seasons Beverly Wilshire Hotel, a star studded Unforgettable Evening was had at The Women’s Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) Gala honoring some extraordinary people-Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson, Richard J Stephenson and Sharon Stone. Gala Chairs Quinn Ezralow and Jamie Tisch, along with Co-Chairs Wallis Annenberg & Kris Levine, NJ Falk, Tom Ford, Judy & Leonard Lauder, William P. Lauder, Danielle Lauder, Marion Laurie, Kelly Chapman Meyer and Steve Tisch and the over 300 guests in attendance raised over $2 million to benefit the Women’s Cancer Research Fund, a program of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
An Unforgettable Evening gala, WCRF’s flagship fundraising event features extraordinary honorees and tributes to cancer survivors and the memory of those impacted by cancer. For over 20 years, the event has brought together leaders in entertainment, cancer research and corporate philanthropy to raise funds for pioneering cancer research conducted at leading medical and academic institutions in California and across the U.S.
This year’s gala honored Doctor, business owner, philanthropist, public speaker, bestselling author, and recognized leader in functional medicine Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson and philanthropist, entrepreneur, and global merchant banker Richard J Stephenson (founder of Cancer Treatment Centers of America), together with the 2023 Unsung Hero Award. The award was presented by actress Maria Bello and her partner Dominique Crenn of (three-Michelin-starred restaurant Atelier Crenn), for the Stephenson’s unwavering commitment to fighting cancer and supporting patient-centered treatment and care. In accepting the award, Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson said, “We are so honored to be named this year’s Unsung Heroes, and while we may be taking home this beautiful, golden, crystal piece, we are sharing it eternally with each one of you and more.”
Previous honorees at the WCRF gala have included Kate Hudson, Gabrielle Union, Christina Applegate, Renée Zellweger, Natalie Cole, Courteney Cox, Sheryl Crow, Melissa Ethridge, Renette Ezralow, Tom Ford, Carolina Herrera, Faith Hill & Tim McGraw, Jennifer Hudson, Sir Elton John, Nicole Kidman, Judy & Leonard Lauder, Stella McCartney, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sofia Vergara, and more. WCRF was founded by Quinn Ezralow, Kelly Chapman Meyer, Jamie Tisch and the late Anne Douglas, Marion Laurie and Renette Ezralow. This year’s Honorary Chairs included Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks and Kate Capshaw & Steven Spielberg.
Actress Sharon Stone, dressed in a Yousef Akbar olive green Diamante gloved gown, received the 2023 Courage Award, presented by Jamie Tisch, for her support of breast cancer research and dedication to raising awareness for the cause. Upon taking the stage, Stone said, “So often things that start with women get overlooked completely, and I am so grateful to stand for something that doesn’t.” During her acceptance speech, urged gala attendees to open their checkbooks for donations to the cause. Stone also recognized her fellow honorees and in closing asked women in the room who have battled breast cancer, as well as anyone who has had a loved one affected by it, to stand up for a round of applause in solidarity.
The evenings co-chairs Quinn Ezralow, Jamie Tisch and Kelly Chapman Meyer made a few remarks as well as a vote of thanks from one of BCRF’s investigator Dr. Peter Kuhn of USC Michelson CSI-Cancer. The night concluded with a rousing performance from award winning band Maroon 5, introduced by Rebel Wilson, who donated their to stripped down, three-piece acoustic set, which included hit songs “This Love,” “Moves Like Jagger,” “She Will Be Loved,” and a cover of Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.”
Additional guests in attendance included Founder of Anastasia Beverly Hills Anastasia Soare, Model Behati Prinsloo, Bella Giannulli, Chord Overstreet, Cynthia Bailey, Derek Blasberg, Elizabeth Gilpin, Gela Nash, Halston Sage, Harry Hamlin and Lisa Rinna, John Taylor, Jonetta Kaiser, Julianne Hough, Kathy Hilton, Kim Petras, Liana Liberato, Megan Blake Irwin, Natasha Bassett, Nia Vardalos, Nicky Whelan, Olivia Jade, Paul Wesley, Rachel Zoe, Will Ropp and more.
WCRF, a program of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, was founded by Quinn Ezralow, Kelly Chapman Meyer, Jamie Tisch and the late Anne Douglas, Marion Laurie and Renette Ezralow. This year’s Honorary Chairs included Rita Wilson & Tom Hanks and Kate Capshaw & Steven Spielberg, along with Gala Chairs Quinn Ezralow and Jamie Tisch, and Co-Chairs Wallis Annenberg & Kris Levine, NJ Falk, Tom Ford, Judy & Leonard Lauder, William P. Lauder, Danielle Lauder, Marion Laurie, Kelly Chapman Meyer and Steve Tisch. BCRF is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. Investing in the best minds in science—from those investigating prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and metastasis—and fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, BCRF’s approach accelerates the entire field and moves us closer to the answers we urgently need to be the end of breast cancer.
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