G
P
FOUNDATION
FOR CANCER
RESEARCH
Inspirations
A newsletter from the G&P Foundation for Cancer Research
Working to Make Cancer Extinct
Spring 2000
Volume 1
Denise Rich
Co-Founder
Philip Aouad
Co-Founder
Medical Advisory Board
Chair: Dr. Stephen D. Nimer
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Cancer Center
Dr. Barrie R. Cassileth
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Cancer Center
Dr. Curt I. Civin
Johns Hopkins University
Dr. Jerome Groopman
Harvard Institute of Medicine
Dr. Ronald Levy
Stanford University
School of Medicine
Dr. Janet Davison Rowley
University of Chicago
Dr. Rainer F. Storb
Fred Hutchinson Cancer
Research Center
Dr. Jeffrey D. White
National Institutes of Health
Dr. Cheryl L. Willman
University of New Mexico
Cancer Research Facility
Dr. Sidney J. Winawer
Memorial Sloan Kettering
Cancer Center
Kay J. Wight
Executive Vice President
A Message to our
Friends and Donors
FROM DR. STEPHEN D. NIMER
CHAIR OF THE MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARD
OF THE G&P FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH
E
ven though I’ve been practicing medicine for many years, losing a patient to
cancer is always a difficult experience. But
it is one that also inspires me to rededicate myself
to my medical practice and clinical research.
So when Denise Rich, the mother of Gabrielle
Rich Aouad, one of my patients who made a deep impression on me, asked me to serve as the
Chair for the G&P Foundation for Cancer Research, I quickly accepted the post.
The philosophy of the G&P Foundation—funding research that can quickly be turned into
tangible patient benefits—was also quite appealing. With many non-profit groups supporting
‘basic’ and long-term cancer research, the G&P Foundation fills a real need.
As Chair of the G&P Medical Advisory Board, it is my responsibility to make sure that
donations received fund research that has the greatest chance of making a positive impact in the
care and treatment of individuals suffering from hematologic cancers.
Creating a Medical Advisory Board to evaluate grant applications was one of the first steps
to accomplish this objective. Perhaps the G&P Foundation’s unique mission spoke to my
colleagues, perhaps the poignancy of Gabrielle’s battle with cancer moved them, but regardless
continued on page 4
Calendar of Events
One of the ways the G&P Foundation for Cancer Research strives to fulfill its mission is to partner with corporate friends and
participate in worthy activities. Here are some upcoming events that might be of interest to you.
• The Walpole Committee, founded in honor of one of Britain’s
greatest statesman, Sir Robert Walpole (1676-1745), bestowed its
first Liz Tilberis Humanitarian Award to Denise Rich on March
28th at the Plaza Hotel, for the important work she has
performed on behalf of the G&P Foundation.
• On Tuesday, May 23 from 6:00–8:00 PM A La Maison will
host a celebratory launch of candle “Gabrielle.” Helene
Benhamou of A La Maison, “an intimately chic refuge” offering
European furniture, accessories and tabletop items at 1078 Madison
Ave, New York, has created a scented elegant candle in memory of
Gabrielle Rich Aouad. 30% of proceeds from the sale of candle
“Gabrielle” will go to support the work of the G&P Foundation.
• Genny, a new boutique at 831 Madison Avenue and 69th street
in Manhattan, donated 10% of its proceeds to the G&P Foundation
during the month of February.
• The G&P Foundation for Cancer Research will hold its
bi-annual musical gala Thursday, November 30, 2000 at the
Marriott Marquis, New York. With President William
Jefferson Clinton serving as our honorary chair, and
performances by the hottest musical acts, including Marc
Anthony, Natalie Cole, Howie D. (The Backstreet Boys), Fran
Drescher, Patti LaBelle, Olivia Newton-John, Jane Seymour, and
Luther Vandross; it will be an event that you won’t want to miss.
For information: Inez Weinstein Special Events, at 212-614-0400.
New Hope at the End of a Millennium
$1.4 MILLION IN G&P MEDICAL RESEARCH GRANTS AWARDED AT HOLIDAY LUNCHEON
speech. “The recipients of these awards are addressing key
issues in the treatment of cancer, approaching them from
different vantage points.”
In moving introductory remarks, Denise Rich and
Philip Aouad shared with guests how the loss of
Gabrielle Rich Aouad to cancer — Denise’s daughter
and Philip’s wife — had spurred them to establish the
G&P Foundation.
“Gabrielle, our Foundation will continue to keep your
spirit everlasting. It is one way to pay tribute to the
beauty, warmth and generosity you so freely shared with
me and others who knew you. As your ambassador on this
planet, I am proud to help make your vision and dream for
a cancer-free world a reality. From wherever you are
watching today, I know you are proud of our accomplishments. I can see your smile,” said Philip Aouad in his
introductory remarks.
The Foundation’s Medical Board was also introduced at
the luncheon. International leaders in the field of cancer
research, these nine distinguished scientists and physicians will serve as the guiding hand for the Foundation.
Jane Seymour, an active supporter of integrative medicine, delivered the keynote address, a moving speech
New York, NY—A spirit of hope and holiday cheer
served as the backdrop for the G&P Medical Research
Awards luncheon at the Plaza Hotel in New York, on
December 9, 1999.
A festive, star-studded gala, the luncheon featured
speeches by First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and
actress Jane Seymour, Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, Chair of the
Medical Advisory Board of the G&P Foundation for
Cancer Research, and Dr. Sidney J. Winawer, Medical
Advisory Board Member.
The luncheon also served another purpose: the awarding of $1.4 million in G&P Medical Research Awards to
eight medical investigators involved in pioneering cancer
research.
Selected because their work is both promising and
could rapidly be translated into therapeutic trials, the
eight G&P medical research award winners now have the
resources needed to conduct research that will hopefully
yield important breakthroughs in cancer treatments
within a few years.
“Grant applications were judged on how innovative
they were, the significance of the problem being
addressed, the quality of the investigator and the likelihood of a successful outcome,” said Dr. Nimer in his
continued on page 5
2
“Love Defies All Pain, Even Death.”
GABRIELLE’S STORY
ome lives burn short but so brightly that
they kindle a fire of inspiration in the hearts
of all those who cross their path.
Such was the life of Gabrielle Rich Aouad, an
extraordinary woman
who passed away at the
age of 27 from AML
Leukemia.
Born in Spain, raised
in Switzerland, England
and the U.S., Gabrielle
attended Oxford University, earning a B.A. in
philosophy and modern
languages with honors.
Though she loved the
world of ideas, she heard
the call of the stage
while at school, and
eventually moved to
New York to become an
actress.
Upon her arrival in Manhattan, Gabrielle enrolled in
the New York University Intensive Film Workshop to
better learn her craft. Success came quickly, and before the
age of 23, she had appeared in numerous plays, commercials, and the feature films The Chase, Savage Hearts,
Upstairs Neighbor, The Road to Flin Flon, and Red
Ribbon Blues.
But Gabrielle was much more than a talented actress:
she also was a champion ski racer, an accomplished equestrian, and a skilled
mountain climber who
summitted the Mirrior,
and San Bernardino,
Italy’s tallest mountain.
“I love spending several days and nights
traveling with a group of
friends to remote territories and unscaled
heights,” Gabrielle had
said to a journalist. “We
laugh, eat, climb, romp
around—and then sleep
on the floor of a tiny hut
on a mountaintop!”
Just when life was
opening up in all its promise, Gabrielle was diagnosed as
having an advanced stage of Hodgkin’s Disease.
Exhibiting the same courage and will power that
enabled her to accomplish so much at such a young age,
Gabrielle fearlessly fought the disease, enduring painful
chemotherapy treatments. Told by her doctors that she
S
continued on page 5
Kay J. Wight Named as the G&P Foundation’s Executive Vice President
The G&P Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of Kay J. Wight to the position of Executive Vice
President.
Ms. Wight will be responsible for running the day-to-day operations, along with directing the
Foundation’s efforts to support and advance both conventional and complimentary medical approaches to the
treatments of cancers, such as leukemia and lymphoma.
Most recently, Ms. Wight served as the Vice President of the Revlon Foundation, where she was
responsible for bringing the successful Revlon Run/Walk for Women to New York City, an event that raised
more than $1 million towards the fight against breast cancer in its first year.
Ms. Wight also served as the Vice President of the New York City Division of the American Cancer
Society, and was the first recipient of its Woman of Achievement Award. She has received numerous other
awards from a variety of professional organizations including the National Organization of Women and
ADWEEK Magazine.
3
Leave a lasting legacy
THE G&P CHARITABLE FOUNDATION’S ESTATE PLANNING SERVICES
To friends of The G&P Charitable Foundation who want to
leave a lasting legacy in the battle against cancer, we offer a full suite
Lives of great men all remind us
of estate planning services.
We can make our lives sublime.
Our Estate Planning group can help you maximize the
And departing, leave behind us
accumulation, distribution and transfer of your assets to insure that
Footprints on the sands of time.
your legacy is transferred to your heirs—and your favorite charitable
causes. We can also help you implement an overall strategy that will
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
allow for the management of assets; defer, reduce or eliminate taxes;
and guarantee that you can enjoy your current lifestyle.
Charitable planning with the use of Lead Trust, Remainder Trust, Life Insurance Legacy Trust,
Foundations and gifts are also integral tools—and we can help you determine which one is right for you.
We can also help you and your family to inspire your heirs to share the same values and ethics that compel
you to help make the world a better place.
If you would like information, please contact Steven Simes, President, SJS Corporation, 203-328-3001.
A Message to our Friends and Donors
continued from page 1
of their personal motivation,
we were able to quickly
assemble a board composed
of the top medical researchers
in the country.
The men and women serving on the Medical Advisory
Board are a diverse group
of internationally recognized
professionals:
immunologists, pathologists, pediatricians, molecular biologists,
stem cell and bone marrow transplanters, leukemia and
lymphoma experts, and experts in complimentary medicine. ‘Hands-on’ researchers who have won numerous
awards and accolades for their seminal contributions in
their respective fields, the board members’ experience and
collective vision allows the Foundation to identify and
fund the most promising grant applications.
As our board has grown in number, we will be able to
consider greater numbers of applications from a larger
number of institutions. This will enable us to support
up-and-coming investigators—individuals who are often
overlooked by more traditional non-profits.
When evaluating grants, the Medical Advisory Board
follows a few guidelines:
• We fund research that can be quickly translated into
clinical benefits for patients.
• We keep an open mind, consider any grant that holds
real potential, and judge applications strictly on their
merit—all the while holding applications to the
most rigorous review process.
• We place a special emphasis on funding research that
validates the benefits of complimentary medicine in
treating cancer and improving the quality of life of
patients.
The quality of the research grants we are funding along
with the generosity of our donors has created a tremendous opportunity to take a giant step forward in the fight
against cancer. It has also instilled a sense of optimism and
vigor in the entire Medical Advisory Board.
While medical research offers no guarantees, the work
of inspired investigators often yields vital clues that help
us alleviate suffering and develop treatments that strike at
the roots of a disease. It is my personal hope and belief that
ten years from now, a number of important breakthroughs
will be directly traced to the work our G&P Medical
Research Award recipients are performing today.
4
“Love Defies All Pain, Even Death.”
continued from page 3
was in total remission in 1993, Gabrielle married Philip
Aouad.
The next three years was a productive and happy time
for Gabrielle, she starred with Fay Dunaway in Twilight
of the Gods, appeared on a number of television shows and
movies, and was selected as a finalist in Lancôme’s modeling competition.
Those who survive a first bout with cancer are often at
risk for developing a second one. Unfortunately, Gabrielle
was diagnosed with AML Leukemia, and once again had
to endure a round of painful chemotherapy treatments,
and bone marrow transplants with her mother, Denise,
serving as the donor.
“Mummy is giving me birth again,” Gabrielle had
said, with her characteristic wisdom and wit about the
painful procedure.
Never once did Gabrielle complain about the toll the
disease and chemotherapy treatments were taking on her
body. As one reporter wrote, “though she lost all her beautiful brunette hair, her characteristic joie de vivre
remained—and she put on a blond wig as she fearlessly
went on fighting for her life.”
During this difficult period, Gabrielle remained active
and engaged, writing the screenplay Surprise. Of the
screenplay, one journalist said: “Universal in its touching
observations of the human condition, perhaps it only
could have been written by someone as educated in the
ways of the world as Gabrielle, and as sensitive to its
injustices, both great and small.”
Known for her compassion and sensitive heart,
Gabrielle also vowed that she would form a foundation to
combat leukemia so that no one would have to suffer as
she did. With the same zeal she pursued her dreams of
becoming an actress, she gave of herself to creating a foundation.
THE G&P CHARITABLE FOUNDATION FOR CANCER
Gabrielle’s dream was passed
on to her mother, Denise
RESEARCH—MISSION
STATEMENT
Rich,The
and
her
husband
Philip
Aouad
after
she Research
lost her
purpose of the G&P Foundation for
Cancer
fight
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is towith
encourage
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“Love
defies
all
pain, even
death,” Gabrielle
said
for patients with leukemia,
lymphoma
and relatedhad
cancers.
before
she
passed
away.
That
love
has
blazed
forth
into
The Foundation funds innovative clinical or basic science
rays
of hope
thelead
tens
of thousands
who
are fighting
research
thatfor
will
to novel
therapeutic
approaches
that
cancer.
could replace, or be used in conjunction with, existing
therapies. Such therapeutic approaches could include integrative (complementary/alternative) medicine.
The Foundation funds research to improve the efficacy of
cancer treatments, reduce their toxicity and improve the
thequality
critically
acclaimed
“Music
of the
Heart,” enterof life
of patientsfilm
with
leukemia
or lymphoma.
tained the guests with a stirring musical performance.
The Foundation also supports limited scientific interEscada,
one ofselected
the corporate
the ofG&P
change
between
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bio
Foundation,
delighted
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Caryn
Lerner,
important
effortsCollection.
that will lead
to improvePresident
of
Escada,
explained
that
one
of
the
reasons
ments in the treatment and care of patients with leukemia
the
is so committed to the G&P Foundation is
andcompany
lymphoma.
because Margaretha Ley, the wife of Wolfgang Ley, the
founder and Chairman of
Escada, passed away from
cancer in 1992.
“To hand out the grants
to these scientists is proof
that Gabrielle’s memory
lives on in our hearts and in
the work of the G&P Foundation,” said Denise Rich.
“Her life continues to be an
inspiration to all those who
now live under the shadow
of this terrible disease.”
New Hope at the End of a Millennium
continued from page 2
describing how a holistic approach to care improved
the quality of life of her late father who passed away from
cancer.
First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke of the
important research the
G&P Foundation for Cancer Research is funding:
“With every spark of inspiration, with every test,
with every lab experiment,
you—the award recipients
and the Medical Advisory
Board—take us closer to
the day when cancer is
nothing more than a sad and distant memory. And your
efforts are desperately needed: over 28,000 people were
diagnosed with leukemia in 1998.”
Other luminaries in attendance included Joan
Collins, Robert Wagner and Diahann Carroll. Roberta
Guaspari’s East Harlem Violin Project, the subject of
5
The G&P Foundation
for Cancer Research
contributed $1.4 million to
the following institutions:
• University of Rochester
Medical Center
• University of Pennsylvania
Medical Center
• Stanford University School
of Medicine
• University of Texas,
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
• University of Michigan
• St. Jude Children’s Research
Hospital
• Harvard University,
Children’s Hospital
FOUNDATION
FOR CANCER
RESEARCH
P
• University of Arizona,
Foundation for Integrative
Medicine
G
KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR!!!
WARNING SIGNS THAT CAN SAVE YOUR LIFE…
OR THE LIFE OF SOMEONE YOU LOVE
Early detection and intervention can help increase
the chances for overcoming cancer. If you or your
loved ones experience any of the following
symptoms, see a doctor immediately.
• Painless swelling of lymph nodes (neck,
armpits, groin or abdomen)
• Fever & night sweats
• Indigestion and abdominal pain; loss
of appetite
• Bone pain