New York, NY (PRWEB) December 03, 2016
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) – the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted exclusively to funding innovative lymphoma research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives and patient services – hosted its first Swirl: A Wine Tasting Event in New York City, with long-time partners The Paul Foundation, on November 10, 2016. The inaugural Swirl: New York City Wine Tasting Event drew more than 200 attendees from the greater New York City area and brought in more than $189,000 in support of the Lymphoma Research Foundation and its mission to eradicate lymphoma and serve those affected by this disease.
The event, held at Melrose Ballroom in Long Island City, New York, featured keynote remarks from Lymphoma Research Foundation Chief Executive Officer Meghan Gutierrez; LRF Scientific Advisory Board Member Kara Kelly, MD, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, University of Buffalo; Ellen M. Walker, Esq., Chair of the Board of The Paul Foundation; and a fabulous live auction conducted by Lee Forlenza, Esq., Vice President, Granoff, Walker & Forlenza, P.C.
Proceeds from the inaugural wine tasting event will specifically benefit LRF’s Erase Lymphoma program, LRF’s Adolescent and Young Adult Initiative, of which The Paul Foundation is the Founding Sponsor. Each year, nearly 70,000 adolescents and young adults (AYA) are diagnosed with cancer; and lymphoma, the most common type of blood cancer, accounts for nearly 1-in-5 cancer diagnoses among young people. LRF’s Erase Lymphoma program aims to assist young lymphoma patients and their families in addressing the unique medical challenges, psychosocial needs and access issues they may encounter by providing expert materials and programs.
“We are incredibly inspired by the tremendous success of the first year of this Swirl event, and we are confident that the funds raised by this event will have an untold impact in the lives of young lymphoma patients and their families,” said Walker. “As a mother who lost her son to lymphoma, this event and The Paul Foundation’s partnership with the Lymphoma Research Foundation is incredibly important to me; I know my son would have been proud of the success of the event and, more importantly, the meaningful strides we are making to improve the lives of all young adults impacted by lymphoma.”
Restaurant sponsors at the inaugural event included 1633, Bareburger, Grace's Marketplace, Patsy's Italian, Eli's Manhattan, Zabar's, The Souvlaki King, Urbani Truffle Lab and Risotteria Melotti, and Bobby Van's Steakhouse. Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits generously supported the New York installment of the Swirl series as the official Wine Sponsor, as Richard Shipman, Fine Wine Manager at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits presented a selection of fine wines to the 200 attendees.
“As the Swirl series continues to grow, we are especially grateful to The Paul Foundation for their continued leadership and support for our shared mission,” said Meghan Gutierrez,” said Meghan Gutierrez, LRF Chief Executive Officer. “We are confident that the funds generated here tonight will go a long way in serving the AYA lymphoma community with research programs and services tailored to the specific needs of this traditionally underserved group.”
For more information on the Lymphoma Research Foundation’s Erase Lymphoma initiative, please visit lymphoma.org/eraselymphoma.
About the Lymphoma Research Foundation
The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation’s largest non-profit organization devoted to funding innovative research and serving the lymphoma community through a comprehensive series of education programs, outreach initiatives and patient services. To date, LRF has awarded nearly $60 million in lymphoma-specific research.
For additional information on LRF’s research, education and services, visit lymphoma.org.