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PCF's NY Dinner:with Whoopi, J-Rod- Kicks Off #VeteransWeek


Prostate Cancer Foundation:  2017 New York Dinner

...featuring guest host Whoopi Goldberg with special musical performance by Grammy and Academy Award-winning singerJennifer Hudson

Honoring
Peter and Laurie Grauer
Legendary actress, comedian, and television host Whoopi Goldberg -with PCF founder Michael Milken and one of the distinguished veterans honored.
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF), a nonprofit organization founded by Michael Milken dedicated to identifying and funding groundbreaking cancer research programs, hosted the 2017 New York Dinner at Cipriani 42nd Street New York. 

The night concluded with Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson belts out her signature hit songs including “Love You I Do,” “Spotlight,” “And I am Telling You,” and a Whitney Houston medley. WOW!!!!!!.(Patrick McMullan)



The evening kicked off with Michael Milken and guest host Whoopi Goldberg outlining the evening’s three themes: Women in Science, Big Data, and Family. (“What do you think of Big Data?” asked Milken. “I don’t know, maybe I should spend some time with him,” quipped Goldberg). 
After a beautiful rendition of the national anthem sung by army veteran Constance Campbell, guests learned about the ways PCF supports young female researchers through the PCF Young Investigator program. 

The Big Data portion of the evening included a speech by Dr. David Shulkin, Secretary of Veteran Affairs, who was presented by Dr. Jonathan Simons, PCF President and CEO. Dr. Shulkin spoke on the VA’s commitment to transformation and modernization, including aggressively attacking prostate cancer, the most common form of cancer among veterans. The theme of Family was exemplified by the night’s honorees, Peter and Laurie Grauer, who were recognized for their commitment to cancer research and dedication to increasing the number of women in leadership positions, both in science and beyond. 



J-LO + A-Rod (Patrick McMullan)
Beautiful table settings...


Throughout the evening, military veteran guests in the audience were recognized. Additionally, seven of the organization’s VA Network Centers of Excellence received funding through the generous donations of attendees. AllianceBernstein CEO Seth Bernstein’s table, which included guests Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, donated a total of $1 million to the PCF Young Investigator program. (Patrick McMullan)
Whoopi Goldberg-Poses with Veterans and Sec. of Veterans Affairs, David Shulkin.
  Proceeds from the event, which raised $18 million, will support the partnership between PCF and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide precision oncology to all veterans by establishing eleven centers of excellence. By providing access to their more than 9 million patient records, PCF researchers will be able to discover new and better treatments that will impact all prostate cancer patients. The evening was the organization’s second largest fundraising night.