New York, NY (June 1, 2011) — On Wednesday morning, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation held its Annual Breakfast at the Metropolitan Club, raising $1.16 million to support the most brilliant young minds in cancer research.

Opening remarks were delivered by Alan M. Leventhal, the Foundation’s Chairman of the Board, and Lorraine W. Egan, its Executive Director.  The morning’s program featured a panel discussion with Memorial Sloan-Kettering President Craig B. Thompson, MD, Elaine V. Fuchs, PhD, of The Rockefeller University, and Ken Cadwell, PhD, one of the first recipients of the Dale F. Frey Award for Breakthrough Scientists.

The panelists agreed that cancer research is at a “tipping point” in finding radical new approaches to curing cancer, and that Damon Runyon scientists are at the forefront of this effort.

“Damon Runyon’s young scientists become passionate about curing cancer,” noted Dr. Fuchs, a former Damon Runyon Fellow and National Medal of Science recipient.  “That’s what makes them so special.  Damon Runyon has made the difference, and we’re now reaping the benefits.”

Board member David M. Beirne also introduced the Cancer Breakthrough Fund, which aims to raise $50 million to fund 100 of the top young cancer researchers as rapidly as possible.  Its goal is to invest in the most innovative young scientists capable of novel discoveries that will accelerate the pace of therapeutic innovation.

The breakfast honored Norman B. Leventhal for his visionary civic leadership as the founder of The Beacon Companies and one of Boston’s leading philanthropists. 

A strong supporter of Damon Runyon, he has been committed to higher education and the pursuit of scientific knowledge for more than half a century.

Mr. Leventhal was introduced by friend and former Foundation Chairman Dale F. Frey.  “A while back,” Frey said, “Tom Brokaw wrote a book about the ‘Greatest Generation.’  Today we honor someone who is certainly one of that generation’s brightest stars.”  Mr. Frey also informed the crowd that Damon Runyon researcher Daniel Schmidt, PhD, of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, would be named the Norman B. Leventhal Fellow.  

The breakfast’s 250 guests included some of New York’s and Boston’s leading philanthropists.

> View photos from the event.