The Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation at UCLA raised $560,000 at its 14th annual signature fundraiser, Taste for a Cure, held May 1, 2009 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.
The foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to raising private funds for highest priority research at UCLA’s Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, honored Twentieth Century Fox Television Chairmen Gary Newman and Dana Walden with the Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award. Fox stars on hand to fête their network chairmen were “24” star Kiefer Sutherland, who presented the award to Newman and Walden, “Family Guy” creator Seth MacFarlane, who led the live auction, and Dennis Haysbert, Scott Foley, Kevin Reilly and Tom Rothman. Maroon 5’s Adam Levine and James Valentine gave an acoustic performance to close the evening that can be viewed on the cancer center's YouTube channel.
This year’s event featured a wine and food tasting reception with the theme “The Great Wines of Oakville.” Award-winning chefs selected by Barbara Fairchild, editor-in-chief of Bon Appétit Magazine, prepared a tasting menu to match with select wines from 30 wineries from the Oakville Winegrowers, a group of vintners and growers in Napa Valley. Participating restaurants were XIV by Michael Mina, CUT, the Bazaar by José Andrés, Pizzeria Mozza, Osteria Mozza, the Border Grill and AK Restaurant + Bar.
Fairchild, Jon Holman, president of The Holman Group, and Jay Sures, partner and board member of United Talent Agency, served as event co-chairs, with Peter Chernin, president and chief operating officer of News Corporation, serving as honorary co-chairman.
Since 1996, Taste for a Cure has raised more than $6.8 million to fund highest priority cancer research at UCLA. Past honorees include Kevin Reilly, Jay Sures, Alex Wallau, Andy Garcia, Edward James Olmos and Gil Nickel. The Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award was created in memory of Jonsson Cancer Center supporter Gil Nickel, proprietor of Napa Valley's Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel and Dolce wineries. Nickel lost his battle against melanoma in October 2003. The award was established to honor key individuals for their humanitarian efforts, community involvement and commitment to philanthropy.
Newman and Walden have overseen Twentieth Century Fox Television operations since December 1999. Under their tenure, the studio has delivered such hits as “24,” “My Name is Earl,” “The Simpsons,” “How I Met Your Mother,” “Family Guy” and “Bones.” Active philanthropists, Newman and Walden have been honored by the Los Angeles Free Clinic, serve on the board of Chrysalis, a homeless relief organization, and were awarded the Legal Aid Foundation’s “Access to Justice” award. Walden also sits on the board for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo and the Los Angeles Free Clinic, and is on the executive committee of the Natural Resources Defense Council. Newman is a member of the Los Angeles Board of Governors of the Paley Center for Media and currently serves on the boards of the Hollywood Radio & Television Society, the Jewish Television Network and the Windward School.
The Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation, established in 1945, is the most important vehicle for raising private funds for cancer research at UCLA. It supports a number of high priority cancer research efforts, focused on converting laboratory discoveries into more effective therapies for cancer patients.
UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center has more than 350 researchers and clinicians engaged in disease research, prevention, detection, control, treatment and education. One of the nation's largest comprehensive cancer centers, the Jonsson center is dedicated to promoting research and translating basic science into leading-edge clinical studies. In July 2008, the Jonsson Cancer Center was named among the top 10 cancer centers nationwide by U.S. News & World Report, a ranking it has held for nine consecutive years.
Photos of the event can be viewed on the cancer center's website.