Sands Point Event Raises $120K For Ovarian Cancer Research

The third annual summer reception held at a couple’s Sands Point home on Thursday raised more than $120,000 towards funding research for the early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer.

The funds raised at the summer reception, hosted by Kirkland & Ellis Partner Christopher Marcus and his wife Lanie, will benefit the nonprofit Tina’s Wish.

Tina’s Wish has raised more than $6 million toward ovarian cancer research grants since its inception nine years ago, making it the third largest private funding source dedicated to early detection ovarian cancer research.

The reception also honored Lanie Marcus' mother Nadine Fladell, a former Long Beach resident who passed away from Stage III ovarian cancer in 2013.

Lanie Marcus spoke about her mother and her fight against cancer:

"My mom was an outspoken and authentic woman who loved her family dearly. In addition to constantly encouraging her loved ones to stay on top of their health, she was always very in tune with her own body. She regularly went to the doctor for screenings and checkups," said Mrs. Marcus. "It goes to show you that no matter how cautious women are, until we come up with an early detection screen for this terrible disease, more women will be diagnosed too late and more families will suffer. I am passionate about this foundation's cause and happy to welcome community members, friends and family into my home for this celebration to honor my beloved mother."

More than 130 guests attended the southern charm themed event, which included a bourbon tasting, cocktail reception with open bar, hors d'oeuvres and live music from guitarist Jason Liebman.

Speakers included Tina's Wish board member, Chief Judge Cecelia Morris of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Dr. Kara Long Roche, a gynecologic oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering and funded Tina’s Wish researcher, gave a presentation on the disease and emphasized the need for an early detection screen.

Most ovarian cancer patients are diagnosed in later stages due to subtle systems and lack of effective early detection screenings. Early detection could critically change the global cure rate of ovarian cancer. Statistics show 27 percent of patients diagnosed during Stage III/IV will survive for about five years compared to 92 percent of those diagnosed during Stage I.

Anyone interested in donating to early detection ovarian cancer research can contact contact Beverly Wolfer at bwolfer@tinaswish.org or 212.880.5757.

For more information about Tina's Wish, visit tinaswish.org, on Facebook or Twitter and Instagram.

Photos courtesy of Tina’s Wish