On Thursday, November 10th, 2016 The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation honored the late Vince Camuto at its 40th-anniversary dinner and auction at Cipriani Wall Street, NYC. Roger Daltrey of The Who performed and Willie Nile was a surprise musical guest. Chris Wragge, Co-Anchor of CBS 2 News This morning and Master of Ceremonies engaged the audience. Marion and Dr. Samuel Waxman founder and CEO invited Michael and Elin Nirenberg to host the event. The foundation was able to raise 2.5 million dollars for the cancer research funds.
Attendees included over 750 corporate executives, board members, and their guests. Notables included: Louise Camuto, Spencer Waxman, Hugh Hildesley, Kenneth Fischel, David Hinkelman, Robert Kantor, Howard Kurz, Howard Shlafmitz, Baron Silverstein, Dena K. Weiner, Mary Kantor, John Varvatos, Joyce Varvatos and Jean Shafiroff.
The bittersweet highlight of the night was when Wragge introduced a video tribute to the late Vince Camuto. Fashion icons such as Tory Burch and Macy’s Inc. CEO Terry Lundgen y shared memories about Camuto was a paragon in the shoe industry. He partnered or acquired footwear licenses including BCBG, Max Azria, Tory Burch, Jessica Simpson, Lucky Jeans and more. Camuto was an avid believer in philanthropy and was awarded the “Father of the Year” award by The National Father’s Day Council in 2014. Camuto’s philanthropic focus was to benefit children and families. He focused on The Domestic Abuse Awareness Foundation, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, The Ronald McDonald House, Leukemia Society of America, a Wish and a Smile and he supported breast cancer research through FFANY Shoes. Camuto even hosted an event for God’s Love We Deliver at his home in Watermill, N.Y. Camuto will be missed by many.
Dr. Waxman provided his guests with an overview of the Foundation’s new SWCRF Aging and Cancer Research Initiative. Louise Camuto spoke about the development of less toxic cancer treatments and the Aging and Cancer program. She thanked Dr. Waxman for founding the SWCRF Vince Camuto Memorial Cancer Research Program in honor of her late husband.
Hugh Hildesley, Executive Vice President of Sotheby’s Auction House led the live auction. Highlights included a $10,000 shopping spree and lunch with John Varvatos which sold for $15,000; an America’s Cup Yacht Race experience captained by former America’s Cup team members, sold for $8,000; a Private Wine Tasting at Italy’s most popular wineries for $16,000; an exclusive opportunity to meet Roger Daltrey and receive a guitar autographed by the famous singer, which sold to the highest bidder for $15,000. The highest bid of the night, $48,000, went to a Private Jet Experience for eight people which includes 10 hours of air travel on the state-of-the-art, luxurious Hawker 4000. Other travel packages included a CMH five-day Heli-skiing trip for two in Canada, which sold for $16,000, and a Milwaukee Bucks Experience including a G4 flight to a game and team memorabilia that sold for $16,000.
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to curing by funding cutting-edge research that identifies and corrects abnormal gene function that causes cancer. This foundation is different as it creates a collaborative group of world-class scientists who openly share information. Normally, researchers protect their information. The foundation has awarded over $90 million to support over 200 researchers across the globe.
For more information, visit: www.waxmancancer.org SWCRF on Facebook and follow the Twitter and Instagram: @WaxmanCancer
