A SPECTACULAR NIGHT OF HOPE AND HEALING AT THE 33RD ANNUAL CURES GALA

On October 26, 2024, Gateway for Cancer Research held the 33rd annual Cures Gala and celebrated the brilliant trial doctors, brave patients, and generous donors that are changing lives every day. The event was hosted at the private, historic estate of Gateway’s Vice Chairman and Chairman, Dr. Stacie and Mr. Richard J Stephenson, located in Barrington Hills. The exclusive affair serves to advance Gateway’s mission to accelerate practice-changing discoveries in cancer care by harnessing the unrelenting passion of the research community and empowering patients to triumph over their disease. Together, the Gateway community raised millions of dollars, 100 percent of which goes to funding vital phase I and II cancer clinical trials.

Since its inception, Gateway has invested more than $114 million to support over 234 early phase cancer clinical trials. These studies have delivered hope and healing to more than 30,000 cancer patients and families. Families like those of Bruce Koehler, Joe Ragey, and Orricia Denbow, who are all participants in the Gateway-funded trial spotlighted at this year’s event.

The featured trial showcased the innovation, ingenuity and impact of Gateway-funded research. The trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of an already approved cancer drug in the treatment of the rare pre-cancerous blood condition clonal cytopenias of undetermined significance (C-CUS). Led by Kelly Bolton, M.D., Ph.D., a medical oncologist at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, the three-year phase II study is differentiated for being a decentralized trial. Using this trial model, Koehler, Ragey, and Denbow have been able to receive study-related care and treatment from their communities in Georgia, California, and St. Lucia, respectively.

This year’s recipient of the Mary Brown Stephenson Award— one of Gateway’s highest honors—was Dr. Lawrence Piro, President and CEO of The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute. Dr. Piro is widely known as an authority on lymphoma and cancer drug development including immunotherapy treatments for cancer.

The entertainment at the Cures Gala further proved the wide reach of Gateway’s support. Headlining the incredible night of giving was 16-time Grammy Award winner David Foster. Additional performances and celebrity guests included singers Pia Toscano, Matteo Bocelli, and Daniel Emmet. Joey Fatone appeared at the Cures Gala as Master of Ceremonies.

There are currently 62 active Gateway funded clinical trials around the globe. In the last 30-plus years, they have altered the standard of care at some of the most trusted hospitals and health care institutions. Additionally, they have contributed to the development of new FDA-approved treatments and therapies that improve quality of life and save lives. In the process, Gateway has never forgotten that its work is ALWAYS and ONLY about the patient.

To learn more, please visit gatewaycr.org.