LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwired - Oct 9, 2014) - Celebrating twenty years of cancer research, the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (OCRF) will hold its Twentieth Anniversary Legends Gala in New York City this year, at the Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue. The OCRF, founded in 1994, is the largest and oldest ovarian research charity and is third in overall ovarian cancer research. Hosted by Harry Connick Jr., this gala event will be honoring individuals, organizations, and corporate partners that have made substantial contributions to the ovarian cancer research, through generous donations and involvement. Actor Pierce Brosnan will be presented with the Legends Award, while Kiehl's President Chris Salgardo will be presented The Hope Award. Among the attendees of the Gala will be the prominent Hollywood filmmaker and producer Bryan Zuriff, who is featured on the Dinner Committee at the Gala.
The OCRF works to develop innovative strategies for detection, to explore the genetic risk factors, to understand the biology of the disease, and attempts to decipher how and why ovarian cancer spreads as well as investigates new and better targets for treatment. Nearly $60 million have come from over 217 grants provided by the OCRF to 65 medical research centers across the United States. Because cancer is such a complex disease, an extensive and continuing investment in research is needed. OCRF is able to solicit and award funding to worthy lines of research in a relatively short period of time. This leads to more rapid progress, and facilitates the professional advancement of promising ovarian cancer researchers. If not for grant funding, these researchers may turn their attention to other, better-funded disease states. The funding provided by OCRF enhances and expands the amount of research done in the battle to understand and find a cure for ovarian cancer. All of the grants awarded by OCRF are reviewed and approved by the OCRF Advisory Committee to ensure the integrity and caliber of the selected recipients. In 2012, the national support program Woman to Woman was launched to pair women who have extensive experience battling gynecological cancer with women who are newly diagnosed and are currently going through it.
Bryan Zuriff is an accomplished and recognized producer of movies and television series who brings the same passion to his philanthropic endeavors he displays on set when he is producing yet another Hollywood film or the next TV hit. As a committee member of OCRF, he has developed an in-depth knowledge and awareness of the importance research has in finding effective treatment for ovarian cancer patients. Thanks to his extraordinary success as executive producer of the Showtime series Ray Donovan, he can help create a platform for the OCRF and their issues. His sponsorship and involvement add a valuable voice to the OCRF and its goal of funding ovarian cancer research.