February 09th, 2023

A RECORD-BREAKING $1.8 MILLION FOR RESEARCH Annual Luncheon & Symposium honored Michele and Howard Kessler  

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) held its 19th annual Palm Beach Hot Pink Luncheon & Symposium on Thursday, February 9 at The Breakers, raising a record-breaking $1.8 million for breast cancer research.  
 
Michele and Howard Kessler were honored with the Evelyn H. Lauder Humanitarian Award for their extraordinary spirit of generosity and unwavering commitment to achieving a world without breast cancer through research. The Award is named in memory of BCRF’s founder and longtime Palm Beach resident, Evelyn H. Lauder, and pays tribute to her tenacity, vision and passion which continue to drive the critical funding for lifesaving research. The afternoon concluded with a vibrant and chic fashion show from Sinesia Karol, the namesake brand of Sinesia Karol, designer, philanthropist, and BCRF Advisory Board member.  
 
Michele Kessler shared, “We’ve long been inspired by Evelyn and the Lauder family to end this disease. We deeply appreciate how their leadership has saved countless lives.” 
 
The Luncheon featured remarks by BCRF Founding Scientific Director Larry Norton, MD of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. The Symposium was moderated by BCRF’s Scientific Director Judy Garber, MD, MPH of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, with an esteemed panel, including Daniel Haber, MD, PhD of Massachusetts General Hospital and Hope Rugo, MD of University of California, San Francisco.  
 
“It’s the greatest thrill to be in Palm Beach with so many friends in this room. I take joy in what we’ve achieved together, and it would mean so much to Evelyn to see you all here today,” BCRF Honorary Chairman Leonard A. Lauder said. 
 
Notable guests included Eleanor and Donna Acquavella, Gigi and Harry Benson, Lisa and James Cohen, Jacquelyn Fain Duberstein, Emilia Fanjul, Lilly Leas Ferreira, Ginger Feuer-Leeds and Larry Leeds, Ronnie Heyman, Linda Holliday, Kinga Lampert, Leonard A. Lauder, William P. Lauder & Lori Kanter Tritsch, Talbott Maxey, Tom Quick & Michael Donnell, Jack Rooney, Michelle Simkins Rubell, Jennifer Flavin Stallone, Evelyn Treacy, Sarah Wetenhall, and Simone Winston. 
 
The event’s leadership included Honorary Co-Chairs: Nina Garcia, Kinga Lampert, Leonard A. Lauder, William P. Lauder; Lead Chairs: Dee Ocleppo Hilfiger, Aerin Lauder, and Laura Slatkin; Event Co-Chairs: Donna Acquavella, Louise T. Braver, Raysa Fanjul, Betsy Green, Ronnie Heyman, Gail Hilson, Judy Lauder, Patricia Quick, Lyn M. Ross, Carrie Shumway, Sue Hostetler Wrigley, and Andrea Wynn; Founding Chairs: Hillie Mahoney, Mary Alice Pappas, Frances Scaife, and Judith P. Schlager; and Men in Pink Chairs: Burt Minkoff, Thomas C. Quick, and Krystian von Speidel.   
 
The afternoon’s success was made possible by the generous support of underwriters including: Donna & Bill Acquavella, Braman Motocars, Louise & David Braver Philanthropic Fund, Rita & Charles Bronfman, Florida Crystals, Ronnie Heyman, Michele & Howard Kessler, Lambert Family Foundation, Kinga & Edward Lampert, Judy & Leonard Lauder, William P. Lauder, The Ambrose Monell Foundation, Thomas C. Quick, Carrie & Chris Shumway, Jeanne Sorensen Siegel & Herbert J. Siegel, Laura & Harry Slatkin, Barbara Stovall Smith, Andrea & Steve Wynn, and UBS. 
 
About the Breast Cancer Research Foundation 
   Breast cancer is a complex disease with no simple solution. Research is the key to stopping it in its tracks. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world. We invest in the best minds in science— from those investigating prevention to metastasis—and foster cross-disciplinary collaboration. Our approach accelerates the entire field and moves us closer to the answers we urgently need. We can’t stop now. Join us in fueling the world’s most promising research. With you, we will be the end of breast cancer. Learn more and get involved at BCRF.org

All images from the event are courtesy of Michael Blanchard Photography.