$3 million for early-phase cancer raised at Gateway Celebrity Fight Night
Posted 5/1/24
Gateway for Cancer Research — a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to funding innovative, Phase I and Phase II cancer trials — celebrated the 2024 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night …
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Gateway for Cancer Research — a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization committed to funding innovative, Phase I and Phase II cancer trials — celebrated the 2024 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night 30th Anniversary, an Emerald Ball on Saturday, April 27 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess.
More than $3 million was raised in a single night. Thanks to generous underwriting by Gateway for Cancer Research chairs Dr. Stacie J. and Mr. Richard J Stephenson, 100% of proceeds directly fund these early-phase clinical trials, a press release stated.
Gateway Celebrity Fight Night drew actors, entertainers, athletes, philanthropists and leading medical professionals to raise funds for early-phase cancer trials, as they are often overlooked and underfunded. These trials often mark the first human studies of promising new cancer drugs and therapies.
Michael Bublé, Grammy Award winning singer, headlined the event, with additional performances by Fight Song singer-songwriter Rachel Platten, and NSYNC members Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick.
Joey Fatone (left) and Chris Kirkpatrick (right)
Dr. Stacie J. and Mr. Richard J Stephenson, chairs and founders of Gateway for Cancer Research.
“Everybody knows somebody who has been affected by cancer in some way, shape or form,” Fatone, whose mother is a cancer survivor, told the Independent on the red carpet. “For me, obviously, it’s definitely near and dear to my heart. And the Stephensons is a great family, great partnership in what they do, so it’s hard to say no.”
Chris Samuels, a retired NFL player for the Washington Commanders, spoke of a college teammate that died of liver cancer which devastated his team. That’s why Gateway Celebrity Fight Night is great way to unite people for a great cause, he shared with the Independent.
The funding of early-phase cancer research is especially important to Greg LeMond, a former American professional road racing cyclist, who was diagnosed with leukemia a year and a half ago. With the type he has, he said he’d be dead within a year 20 years ago. It really saves peoples’ lives, his wife Kathy LeMond added.
“The fact that everything goes to charity, that’s unheard of,” Kirkpatrick said. “Normally it’s like a large portion goes to charity. Every dollar goes right to cancer research and that’s very admirable. All these amazing people are here. I’m just honored to be a part of it.”
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott was honored with the evening’s Mary Brown Stephenson Award in recognition of his commitment to colon cancer research through his Faith Fight Finish Foundation. He established the nonprofit in honor of his mother who lost her battle with the disease in 2013. The focus of FFF has since expanded to also help individuals, families and communities overcome adversity by focusing on mental health and suicide prevention.
Mr. Richard J Stephenson (right) congratulates Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott for receiving the Mary Brown Stephenson Award at the 2024 …
Guests were presented with the story of John DiClemente, who enrolled in Dr. Yoshie Umemura’s Gateway-funded clinical trial after being diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, one of the deadliest and most treatment-resistant cancers, in September 2021. At that time, he was given 16 months to live. There are no current FDA-approved treatments that have succeeded in significantly extending patients’ lives beyond a few extra months.
As a result of this trial, DiClemente is now 29 months past his diagnosis and is considered a long-term survivor. He credits the clinical trial with saving his life, giving him hope, and enabling him to enjoy life with his family.
“We are honored to host Gateway Celebrity Fight Night 30th Anniversary Emerald Ball to continue the legacy of this inspiring event, with a sharpened focus on early-phase cancer trials for the next 30 years and beyond,” Dr. Stephenson, vice chair of Gateway for Cancer Research, stated in the release. “It’s because of the bravery of Gateway’s patients and researchers, and the generosity of our donors, that we are able to continue this lifesaving work that is ALWAYS and ONLY about the patient.”
The black-tie event featured a cocktail reception, silent auction, elegant dinner and exciting live auction including one-of-a-kind luxury items. For more information about Gateway for Cancer Research, visit https://www.gatewaycr.org.
