The Award of Hope Gala took place Thursday, October 25, 2012, at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, New Jersey. It was a magical night of celebration and purpose. CINJ Foundation Board of Trustees Chair, Subha Barry started the evening by welcoming more than 400 attendees. Dr. Robert DiPaola, Director of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, recognized distinguished guests and thanked his team at CINJ for the dedication they display each day caring for patients and their families. Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno then addressed the room with heartfelt and motivating remarks. She called on CINJ doctors and scientists to work harder each day so that fewer New Jerseyans would be affected by cancer. Awards were then presented to PricewaterhouseCoopers and Embrace Kids Foundation.

All guests were moved by the tribute video to Dr. Bart Kamen that was played during the night and gave a standing ovation to Dr. Kamen’s wife, Dr. Ruth Kamen, and daughter, Libby Kamen as they accepted the award on his behalf. Guests enjoyed a beautiful musical performance by Mr. Mitch Kamen during dinner and responded generously by raising more than $150,000 for cancer research during the live auction.  The evening ended with dancing and music provided by Pat Guadagno and his remarkable band.

Thanks to our generous sponsors

We were so pleased to recognize this year’s honorees:

Award of Hope for Leadership in Research and Patient Care

Dr. Barton A. Kamen was the immediate past Chief of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology and Associate Director of The Cancer Institute of New Jersey. Dr. Kamen served on numerous boards and committees and was an American Cancer Society Professor. For more than four decades he centered his research on folate biochemistry and anti-folate pharmacology. Three of his former patients presented the award to his wife and daughter who graciously accepted the honor.

View the video tribute to Dr. Kamen

Award of Hope for Leadership in Corporate Philanthropy

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Mark Simon, Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (PWC) and his wife Tracey accepted the 2012 Award of Hope for Leadership in Corporate Philanthropy on behalf of the firm. PWC has been a partner of the CINJ Foundation for the last 16 years. Mr. Simon served on the Board of CINJ Directors from 1999 until 2006. Bob Campbell, CINJ Foundation Trustee, presented the award.

Award of Hope for Philanthropic Leadership

Embrace Kids Foundation

Mr. Peter Pogany and Ms. Peg Zullo accepted the award presented by Bob Campbell for the Embrace Kids Foundation. Since 1991, Embrace Kids Foundation has existed to support the non-medical needs of kids with cancer or a blood disorder. Founded by a small group of volunteers, the charity spends over $1 million a year to fulfill its mission. Programs and support services are offered to patient families under care at the Bristol-Myers Squibb Children's Hospital at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH), The Cancer Institute of New Jersey, and Jersey Shore University Medical Center.