Wilmot Cancer Center Raises More Than $500,000 at Annual Discovery Ball
More than 950 patients, faculty and staff, board members and donors, and the local community attended the 14th annual Discovery Ball on Saturday, May 11, at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center in support of the James P. Wilmot Cancer Center. This year’s Ball, chaired by Jeffrey and Patrice Pierce, raised $550,000, including $215,000 pledged in cash donations, to support seed-grants for new and innovative cancer research initiatives at the Cancer Center.
“For first-rate patient care and cancer research to thrive in Rochester, support from the community is critical,” said Jonathan Friedberg, M.D., director, Wilmot Cancer Center. “Cancer is not an easy target, and we know that cooperative efforts are key to successful research and patient care. This investment will help our team rapidly pursue innovative scientific leads in the quest to answer key questions in cancer.”
Webster resident, Georgiana Zicari, was honored at the Discovery Ball with the Inspiration Award, the Wilmot Cancer Center’s highest honor, presented annually to an individual who has helped cancer patients and their families have hope for the future. Zicari, a mom of two young children, has overcome Hodgkin lymphoma and thyroid cancer, starting at age 14. She credits a close relationship with her physicians and her faith for guiding her through both bouts of cancer.
The event is the single largest fundraiser for the Wilmot Cancer Center, providing vital support for the center’s commitment to providing world class care and research to the greater Rochester community and beyond.
The Wilmot Cancer Center is the Finger Lakes Region’s leader for cancer care and research. Approximately 400 doctors, nurses, scientists and staff provide care for more than 10,000 people each year from the greater Rochester region and beyond.