Community Corner

Motown Founder Berry Gordy Honored at MMRF Fundraiser

1,000 MMRF supporters raised more $2M for cancer patients at Fairfield County's largest cancer research benefit.

More than 1,000 supporters showed their commitment to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) on Nov. 9 by attending what was Fairfield County’s largest charity benefit of the year.

This year, the organization raised $2 million at its 17th annual Fall Gala, according to a MMRF release.

A who’s who of the region’s most generous and active philanthropists filled the Hyatt Regency in Greenwich, where they rocked to Motown music, the sound that changed America, and celebrated this vital cause to support research and treatments for patients suffering from multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.

Well-known attendees included Clive J. Davis, Chief Creative Officer for Sony Music Enterprises; Brian Williams, NBC news anchor; Lucy Danziger, SELF Magazine Editor-in-Chief; Monte Lipman, Co-President and CEO of Republic Records; Avery Lipman, Co-President and COO of Republic Records; Steve Bartels, President of IDJ Records; Rick Krim, Executive Vice President of VH1; Patrick Moxey, President of Ultra Records; and John Amato, President of Billboard Publications.

A highlight of the gala included Motown founder and recording legend Berry Gordy being honored with the coveted MMRF Spirit of Hope Award, awarded in recognition of extraordinary contributions for the greater good, according to the release. The star studded event wowed the crowd with an unforgettable concert that included performances by Grammy Award-winning Motown recording artist NE-YO, along with Motown performers Chrisette Michele and Kevin Ross, and Broadway star Charl Brown, who currently appears in Motown: The Musical.

“Over the years I’ve witnessed monumental changes occurring in our nation and around the world revolutionizing the way we think and feel about each other,” said Mr. Gordy in the release. “Now we have the opportunity to see a whole new revolution in the area of cancer research. The MMRF is leading that charge with its unique approach to collaborative research and patient empowerment.”

Past recipients of the coveted MMRF Spirit of Hope Award include Clive J. Davis, Diana Krall and Stevie Wonder. 

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Along with honoring Mr. Gordy, the MMRF bestowed its Courage and Commitment Award on TouchTunes President and CEO, Charles Goldstuck, a renowned leader in the music industry, as well as a digital marketing and entertainment entrepreneur.

Multiple myeloma is an incurable blood cancer. The five-year relative survival rate for multiple myeloma is approximately 41 percent, one of the lowest of all cancers. 

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The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) was established in 1998 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization by twin sisters Karen Andrews and Kathy Giusti, soon after Kathy's diagnosis with multiple myeloma. 

The mission of the MMRF is to relentlessly pursue innovative means that accelerate the development of next-generation multiple myeloma treatments to extend the lives of patients and lead to a cure. 

As the world's number-one private funder of multiple myeloma research, the MMRF has raised over $225 million since its inception and directs 90% of total budget to research and related programming. As a result, the MMRF has been awarded Charity Navigator’s coveted four-star rating for 10 consecutive years, the highest designation for outstanding fiscal responsibility and exceptional efficiency. For more information about the MMRF, please visit:www.themmrf.org.


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