Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

Theater Benefits to Fund Cancer Research

Our Theater Benefits are exciting cancer fundraising events that offer the chance to attend a dinner at a premier New York restaurant, followed by tickets to a successful or highly-anticipated Broadway show.  Guests also have the opportunity to hear first-hand from the scientists themselves about the impact that Damon Runyon funding and support has on their cancer research.

Fall Theater Benefit:  On a Clear Day You Can See Forever

On November 15, 2011, friends of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation enjoyed a performance of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever starring three-time Grammy Award winner, two-time Emmy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Harry Connick, Jr.  The evening began with dinner at Ça Va, celebrity chef Todd English's French-inspired Brasserie, where four of our early career scientists spoke about their research and were able to personally thank supporters.

Spring Theater Benefit: Catch Me If You Can

Our Spring Theater Benefit featuring a special preview performance of the new Broadway musical Catch Me If You Can, an adaptation of Steven Spielberg’s hit movie, was held on March 29, 2011.  The evening began with dinner at Insieme, where friends of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation also met three of our young scientists who explained their current research projects and personally thanked supporters.

For more information on our Theater Benefits, contact Kim Kubert, Director of Special Events, at 212.455.0501 or kim.kubert@damonrunyon.org.

Runyon 5K—Run/Walk for Cancer Research

On August 7, 2011, thousands of avid runners, baseball fans, cancer survivors, and supporters of cancer research took part in the third annual Damon Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium, the only charitable run/walk that uses the legendary ballpark as its course. Former New York Yankees left fielder Roy White kicked off the 5K along with special guests Michael Gargiulo, co-anchor of NBC4’s “Today in New York,” Alan Leventhal, Chairman of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, and Thomas Werner, Chairman of the Boston Red Sox. The event sold out with 4,000 participants raising more than $640,000 for cancer research.

To be among the first to know when the 2012 event date is confirmed and when online registration will open, please sign up for our Runyon 5K Email Alert. 

For more information, please email runyon5k@damonrunyon.org or call 212.455.0501.

> Read the full press release on the 2011 Runyon 5K

> See photos from the 2011 Runyon 5K

> See videos from the 2011 Runyon 5K

Annual Breakfast to Support Cancer Research

New York’s leading business people and philanthropists come together each year for a morning call to raise funds in support of innovative cancer research.

Held at a premier New York City location, our Annual Breakfast is an entertaining cancer fundraising event that gives guests the chance to learn about the important work of our scientists and network with well known New Yorkers – all before the work day starts. 

Annual Breakfast 2011

Our 2011 Annual Breakfast honoring Norman B. Leventhal, Founder, The Beacon Companies, was held on June 1st at The Metropolitan Club in New York City. The event raised $1.16 million to fund cancer research and was attended by 250 guests, including leaders of science, academia and industry.  The event featured a panel discussion with Elaine V. Fuchs, PhD, Professor, The Rockefeller University and Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute; Craig B. Thompson, MD, President and CEO, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Kenneth H. Cadwell, PhD, Assistant Professor, New York University School of Medicine and one of the first recipients of the Dale F. Frey Award for Breakthrough Scientists.  The panel discussed current breakthroughs and the importance of funding innovative cancer research.  
    
> See photos of the Annual Breakfast in support of cancer research

> Read the complete media release

Scientific Meetings

Damon Runyon Fellows' Retreats

(Held annually each fall)
To add to the training potential of our awards, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation hosts annual Fellows’ retreats.  These meetings allow the brightest early career scientists in the country to interact with their peers, network with accomplished senior scientists and initiate valuable interdisciplinary collaborations.
 

Physician-Scientist Career Development Meeting

(November 4 - 5, 2010)
The Physician-Scientist Career Development Meeting, held at the New York Academy of Sciences, focused on addressing the wide range of scientific and career development issues faced by clinical investigators. This event brought together distinguished junior faculty who have received a career development award from one of the four sponsoring organizations, and who are engaged in basic and clinical biomedical research.

The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Clinical Investigator Symposium

(April 27, 2009)
This one-day symposium commemorated the 10th year of the Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award.  The event featured distinguished awardees and alumni of the program, who spoke about their groundbreaking discoveries in the area of translational cancer research.  In addition, the schedule included Keynote speaker Robert A. Weinberg, PhD.  The day culminated with a panel discussion entitled “Moving from Discovery through Development – The Evolving Relationship between Academia and Industry."

> Get more information on Damon Runyon's scientific meetings.