Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

The inaugural Runyon 5K at Yankee Stadium was held on Sunday, November 15th inside the home of the 2009 World Series Champions and raised more than $292,000 for cancer research. This unique fundraising run/walk that used Yankee Stadium as its course attracted a sell-out crowd of 2,500 participants. Individuals and teams ran or walked concourses and ramps, climbed stairs between levels, and enjoyed their own victory laps around the warning track that circles the field.
 
100% of all donations made in support of a participant’s run/walk will directly fund cancer research. Our thanks to everyone who helped make the Runyon 5K a grand slam for cancer research!
 
A date for the 2010 Runyon 5K will be announced soon. To receive early alerts for next year’s event, please email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). For more information, please call 212.455.0501 or visit www.damonrunyon.org/yankeestadium.
 
Click here to see photos from the event.

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 2009

Our 2009 Annual Breakfast honoring Richard T. Clark, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Merck & Co., Inc., was held on May 27th at The Rainbow Room in New York City. The event raised $1.4 million to fund cancer research and was attended by 250 guests, including leaders of science, academia and industry. In accepting his tribute, Mr. Clark focused on the widespread impact of cancer and how important it is to encourage new thinking in cancer research.  Joe Kernen, co-anchor of CNBC’s flagship morning program “Squawk Box,” spoke of his unique background as a former cancer researcher at MIT.  Guests were inspired by Damon Runyon-funded scientists John Rinn, PhD, and Christine Chung, MD, who shared their own personal stories and the paths that lead them to their current cancer research projects.
    
> See photos of the Annual Breakfast in support of cancer research

> Read the complete media release

After seven terrific years, we are greatly disappointed to announce that as a result of a decision made by Sears Tower building management, Go Vertical Chicago will not take place in 2009. 
 
We are so grateful to all of our past climb participants, who over the last seven years helped us raise more than $1.5 million to fund cancer research – every penny of which supported the work of top scientists across the country. 
 
We hope to host an alternate event in Chicago for our loyal Go Vertical participants.  If you are interested in helping us develop our plans, please contact us at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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.

Winter Theater Benefit:

Special Preview Performance of
THE ADDAMS FAMILY
A New Musical

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Dinner/5:30pm
Performance/8:00pm, Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th Street

Tickets are $500

Join us for a special preview performance of the highly anticipated new musical The Addams Family, starring two-time Tony Award winners Nathan Lane and Bebe Neuwirth. Theatergoers will have the opportunity to hear firsthand about the latest in cancer research from current Damon Runyon scientists while enjoying dinner at one of the theater district's premier restaurants.

Please call 212.455.0501or email kim.kubert@damonrunyon.org for further information or to secure your tickets.

Fall Theater Benefit:  A Steady Rain

On October 28, 2009, friends of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation enjoyed a performance of A Steady Rain starring Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig.  The evening began with dinner at Blue Fin, where four of our early career scientists spoke about their research and were able to personally thank supporters.

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

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.
 

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.