PHILADELPHIA (October 16, 2020)—Fox Chase Cancer Center presented its signature fundraising event, In Vino Vita, on Friday, October 2, 2020. The seventh annual event was held virtually for the first time this year and raised over $700,000 for cancer research at Fox Chase.
“Our guests joined us from their homes for the hour-long festivities—many for the first time as the virtual format offered a unique opportunity for all to take part,” said Richard I. Fisher, MD, president and CEO of Fox Chase.
Fisher, who serves with his wife Susan as honorary chairs, acknowledged co-chairs J. Robert Beck, MD, and Maggie Beck, EdD, as well as wine co-chairs Louis E. Della Penna Sr. and Carol A. Della Penna for helping lead the effort to adapt the event to become a successful virtual format.
Each year, In Vino Vita, which is usually held in Center City Philadelphia, has featured live music, a multicourse dinner, and an auction of high-end wine and related experiences. This year, guests were invited to participate from home. The online event still included entertainment, as well as live and silent auctions where the highest bidder could win experiences from top winemaking talent, including Champagne Laurent Perrier, Cain Vineyard & Winery, Frank Family Vineyards, and Ramey Wine Cellars.
The Presenting Sponsor for this year’s event was West Pharmaceutical Services Inc. Platinum Sponsors included Louis and Carol Della Penna; Jefferson Health; Donald Morel Jr., PhD, and Lauren Morel; and Temple Health. Silver Sponsors were Michael and Reina Cohen, Lutron Electronics, and WCG Clinical.
As in previous years, the event featured the Special Pledge as the highlight of the evening. The purpose of the pledge is to focus fundraising efforts on a significant opportunity that will directly impact the future of cancer research, treatment, and care at Fox Chase. Previous pledges have funded a state-of-the-art immunotherapy lab, the renovation of a surgical family waiting suite, and other initiatives that have helped to improve the Fox Chase patient experience and advance important research projects.
This year’s pledge focused on funding young investigators in cancer research with the goal of providing resources to young researchers who are poised to make breakthroughs. The funding will enable them to pursue original research, earn advanced degrees, and collaborate with their peers in an environment where competition for funding is extremely fierce and opportunities are limited. Of the $700,000 raised this year during In Vino Vita, $400,000 was for the Special Pledge.