By Jessica Ross
Photo credit, Concernfoundation.org
It is no secret that the Concern Foundation for Cancer Research held a successful 48th Annual Block Party on the backlot of Paramount Studios in Hollywood, which featured numerous stages of live music, casino-style games, auctions, as well as over 70 restaurants and caterers serving food, desserts, and beverages.
This year's theme was "THE LAND BEFORE TIME: THE EXTINCTION OF CANCER”.As part of the celebration, the Kallick Family was honored with the Lifetime of Giving Award, and Cedars Sinai Cancer was commended for their groundbreaking cancer research.
Cedars Sinai Cancer received a $50,000 check to support their U-GROW program, which helps train the next generation of cancer research scientists.
With over 3,500 guests in attendance, the sold-out event raised over $2,100,000 for cancer research through sponsorships, ticket sales, donations, and auction items bid on during the event.
The Concern Foundation was able to raise more than in 2022 when they attained their historic milestone of raising $2 million for cancer research with just this one event, and we are very proud of them in doing so.
In addition to the Concern office staff, there was a team of volunteers who contributed to the success as well as John Ferdenzi from Town and Country Event Rentals who once again designed the event.
Upon receiving the award, the Kallick Family had the following to say: “We were humbled by the recognition. We were so pleased to assist in raising funds for cancer research”.
The Kallick Family, photo credit Concernfoundation.org
There was a lot of excitement surrounding Concern’s 48th Annual Block Party, and since its inception, the organization has been able to raise more than $74 Million in salary support for over 1000 cancer scientists.
It was the 17th year Los Angeles Magazine has been a media partner of Concern Foundation and as part of this long standing relationship, they featured their “The Best of LA 2023® '' at the block party on Los Angeles Magazine’s Street. To date, Los Angeles magazine has raised $365,000 to support cancer research through its donations.
As the crowd strolled through the backlot streets, they were treated to a number of live performances, including the Tom Nolan Band, D' City Sound & Events, as well as the Vibrato Grill Jazz stage.
There were more than 70 vendors serving food and beverages to guests,including a number of familiar favorites such as Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz, 1212 Santa Monica, A.O.C, APB, Bar Hayama, Beam Suntory, The Breakfast Club, Brique French Toastery, Cafe Dulce, California Sushi Academy, Casa Azul, Casablanca Restaurant and Catering, Casita Restaurant and Bar, Don Francisco Coffee, Dulan’s Soul Food, Emporium Thai, Factor’s Famous Deli, Farm Fresh to You, Firefly, Fogo de Chao, Fresh Brothers, GourMel Catering, Gyu Kaku Japanese BBQ, H&H Brazilian Steakhouse, Just Jan’s, La Boheme, LAVO Ristorante, Leona’s Sushi House, Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Miracle Noodle, Niku Nashi Vegan Sushi, Nobu Malibu, Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs, Pitchoun!, Porta Via, Someone’s in the Kitchen (SITK), STK, Tao, The Gourmandise School, The Grill on The Alley, The Hideaway, The Highlight Room, The Village, This Messy Table LA, Vibrato Grill Jazz, West & Co., Asahi, Boisset Collection of Wines, Common Space Brewery, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, Duba Tea, Dulce Vida Tequila, Empress Gin, The Glenrothes, HEAVENSAKE, HOP WTR, Milagro Tequila, Mountain Valley Spring Water, Nobu LA, Nuda Tequila, Pasquini Espresso Co., ROAR Organics, Robeks, Shake N' Teas, Simply Mixology, Skye Spirits and Imported Wines, Tequila Cabal, The Beverly High Rye, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Weaver's Coffee & Tea, Bertha Mae's Brownie Co., Buzz Bar, Cremily Authentic French Frozen Yogurt, DeLuscious Cookies & Milk, East Side Cheesecakes, La Conversation Bakery, Little Secrets Chocolates, Mamala's Mandel Bread, Marsatta Chocolate, Melona, Mochidoki, Mychal’s Bakery & Coffee, and The Toffee Twins.
In addition, notable corporate sponsors included: AV Masters, Global Travel Collection, Hirsch Family Foundation, Natural History Museum, Nouhaus, Paramount Pictures Studios, Princess Cruises, SnapIt Studio, Town and Country Distinctive Event Rentals & Services, Yamaava’ Resort & Casino, and The Zacuto Group.
Brenda Mejia, Jessica Ross, & Kathy Kolla
More information on Concern Foundation:
CONCERN is an appropriate acronym (CONquer canCER Now) for one of Los Angeles’s best-known and most beloved charities. Since its inception in 1968, CONCERN Foundation, which is dedicated to raising and granting funds to support cancer research worldwide, has broken local ground in many ways: pioneering support of cancer research (specifically in funding young scientists); using the force of celebrity to raise funds; encouraging restaurants and then caterers to share center stage with celebrities to raise money; pioneering the “block party” fundraiser concept. This non-profit organization’s fundraising milestones also chronicle a rich era in the entertainment-oriented social history of Los Angeles.
Concern Foundation’s mission is to conquer cancer by providing essential funds to support the early yet critical stages of discovery. To date, Concern has raised and awarded over $74 million to more than 1000 gifted cancer scientists around the world.
For 55 years, Concern has pioneered the advancement of cancer immunology—the study of the relationship between the immune system and cancer—a field that is now widely acknowledged to hold the most potential for discovering treatments and preventions for cancer.
With 90-95% of net proceeds going directly to research, Concern Foundation has made significant strides toward bridging a major gap in research funding by focusing its grants on young, innovative researchers with breakthrough ideas.
For more information about the 2023 Block Party and the Concern Foundation, please visit www.concernfoundation.org
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Jessica Ross
Since August 2022, Jessica Ross has been a contributor at Heart of Hollywood Magazine. Recent work includes Hollywood Unexpected airing on the XOTV Network digitally and broadcast beginning April 21st and a starring role in the upcoming suspense thriller, Mr. Smith. In December, she was a lead and co-producer in "Chasing Stars", a comedic-drama reality tv show pilot with an all female cast and crew.
Center Stage, Vegas Unlimited, Indie Activity, Action Magazine, Voyage LA, Cinderella of New York, Juwai, Bizbooast, Heart of Hollywood, JAMO Magazine, Entertainment Network Live, It Can By You, Livein Style Magazine, BuzzFeed and CBS are just a few of the media outlets she has been featured on.
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