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If DNA molecules were immutable, cancer wouldn’t exist. Neither would we, as it is precisely their capacity to mutate which enabled evolution in the first place. In order to tighten science’s grip on the mother of all double-edged swords, the mother of all big-ticket fund raisers was held at the Marriot Marquis. Hosted by Grammy winner Denise Rich, whose daughter Gabrielle Rich Aouad had lost her battle with leukemia at age 27, the biennial Angel Ball added five million dollars into the coffers of the G&P Foundation for Cancer Research. The Foundation, established at Gabriella’s own behest and currently in its 10th year, has grown into one of the leading non-governmental purveyors of funds for the fight against blood cancers.
Sloan-Kettering Chief Hematologist Dr. Stephen D. Nimer was honored for his untiring commitment to the cause, as were Harper Bazaar’s Glenda Bailey, BET Networks CEO Debra L. Lee, and the late President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, for their support and generosity. Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, Joss Stone, John Legend, and Epiphany delivered rollicking musical performances, while Natalie Cole and Neil Sedaka—albeit physically present—had the night off. Sean P. Diddy Combs, flanked by supermodels Bar Rafaeli and May Anderson, sported shades for reasons known only to him (and Him); Kelly Ripa looked outrageously galluptious in her shoulderless gown; and boxing promoter Don King’s hair pointed skywards as always.
Tsunami survivor Petra Němcová, hip-hopper LL Cool J, Roberta Flack, Harvey Weinstein, Beverly Johnson, Ivana Trump, Liz Smith, Jessica Stam, Brenda Braxton, Damon Dash, Star Jones, Natalie Cole, Nick Chavez, Katrina Bowden, Nicole Miller, Andy Hilfiger, Brittny Gastineau, Randy Jackson, Nikki Haskel, Joan Collins, and a hodgepodge of other prominent faces and hairdos were seen among the roughly 450 A-listers in the room. Angel Gabriella was felt.
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