Prevent Cancer Foundation raises over $2 million to advance cancer prevention and early detection and honor Puerto Rico

Pictured L to R: Gala co-chair Nickie Currie; Gala co-chair and Foundation board member Caryn Dyson; Prevent Cancer Foundation CEO Jody Hoyos; Governor Jenniffer González-Colón, Puerto Rico; Representative Steve Scalise (R-La.); Representative Richard Neal (D-Mass.); Representative Pablo José Hernández Rivera (D-P.R.); Master of Ceremonies Sara Sidner, Anchor and Senior National Correspondent, CNN
Pictured L to R: Gala co-chair Nickie Currie; Gala co-chair and Foundation board member Caryn Dyson; Prevent Cancer Foundation CEO Jody Hoyos; Governor Jenniffer González-Colón, Puerto Rico; Representative Steve Scalise (R-La.); Representative Richard Neal (D-Mass.); Representative Pablo José Hernández Rivera (D-P.R.); Master of Ceremonies Sara Sidner, Anchor and Senior National Correspondent, CNN (Photo by Washington Talent Agency)

即时发布

Audrey Kashatus
703-836-3687
audrey.kashatus@preventcancer.org

Washington, D.C. – On September 16, the Prevent Cancer Foundation® welcomed over 800 guests to celebrate Puerto Rico and raise money for cancer prevention and early detection at its 32nd Annual Gala. Through generous donations, ticket purchases and silent auction donations, the Gala raised over $2 million. Guests convened at the beautiful National Building Museum in downtown Washington, D.C. and were transported to island with the theme, La Isla del Encanto (the Island of Enchantment).

The Foundation recognized Puerto Rico for their work in cancer prevention and early detection and were honored to be joined by Honorary Gala Co-Chairs, Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón and Rep. Pablo José Hernández Rivera (D-P.R.).  The Gala was attended by many other government officials, congressional members and staffers from Capitol Hill, coming together to represent a unified commitment to cancer awareness across the country.

Dollars raised at the Gala will be used for vital cancer prevention and early detection initiatives, including educational campaigns and materials, advocacy work for health care services and access, promising new research and partnerships with organizations doing on-the-ground-work in their communities.

To help close critical gaps in cancer care, some funds will also go toward an urgent need: advancing research for cancer types that currently lack U.S. guideline-recommended  routine screenings. With this focus, the Foundation is taking meaningful steps toward a world where cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable for all.

“We know there is a lot we can do to reduce our cancer risk and detect cancer in early stages for better outcomes. But we also know, that many cancers are quiet and undetectable,” Prevent Cancer Foundation CEO Jody Hoyos said in her opening remarks. “That’s why the Foundation is lighting the way, advancing research for cancers that do not have U.S. guideline-recommended screening methods. We can’t stop it if we can’t see it coming—and this needs to change.”

The evening also highlighted a  notable lineup of speakers, including; Sara Sidner, Anchor and Senior National Correspondent at CNN; Esteban Santos on behalf of presenting sponsor, Amgen; and honored guest Dave Mitrani. Dave shared the moving story of his late wife and Prevent Cancer team member, Lorelei Mitrani, who died earlier this year from a rare and aggressive cancer.

Congratulations to the members of Congress who received the 2026 Cancer Champion awards: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) and Representative Richard Neal (D-Mass.). Thank you for your leadership in expanding access to cancer prevention and early detection services.

A special thank you to the 2026 Prevent Cancer Gala Committee co-chairs and members of the committee for making this wonderful evening possible.

Thank you to our Gala committee co-chairs:

  • Nickie Currie, Amgen
  • Caryn Dyson, Akin Gump

Thank you to our Gala Committee members:

  • Bill Behnke
  • Kate Belinski
  • Matthew Fleisher
  • Erwin Gomez
  • Shannon Graham
  • Lindsay Houff
  • Amanda Major
  • Michele Oshman
  • Anna Pugh
  • Julie Eddy Rokala
  • Marie Royce
  • Brian Smith
  • George York

And finally, thank you to the 2026 Prevent Cancer Gala top sponsors:

主辦贊助責人:

  • Amgen

Emerald Sponsor:

  • 百时美施贵宝
  • 圣杯

Diamond Sponsors:

  • BeOne Medicines
  • 吉利德
  • 默克
  • Puerto Rico Statehood Council
  • 沃尔玛

Platinum Sponsors:

  • Cencora
  • FedEx
  • 诺华
  • 辉瑞
  • 美国药物研究与制造商协会

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关于预防癌症基金会®

预防癌症基金会® is the only U.S.-based nonprofit organization solely dedicated to cancer prevention and early detection. Through research, education, advocacy and community, we have helped countless people avoid a cancer diagnosis or detect their cancer early enough to be successfully treated. We are driven by a vision of a world where cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable for all.

基金会正奋起应对到 2035 年将癌症死亡人数减少 40% 的挑战。为实现这一目标,我们承诺投资 $2000 万美元用于创新技术,以早期发现癌症并推进多癌筛查,投资 $1000 万美元用于扩大医疗服务不足社区的癌症筛查和疫苗接种机会,并投资 $1000 万美元用于教育公众有关筛查和疫苗接种的选择。

For more information, please visit www.preventcancer.org.