MMRF LAUGH FOR LIFE: NEW YORK
Comedian Mike Birbiglia
Delivers Uproarious Laughter
at the 2018 Laugh for Life and the evening’s program kicked off with
a mind-blowing performance by master
mentalist Matt Cooper.
Laughter, the celebration of progress and
hope filled 583 Park Avenue on Tuesday,
May 1, with more than 500 patients,
caregivers, myeloma doctors, researchers,
industry leaders and friends at the annual
MMRF Laugh for Life: New York comedy
event. Event co-chairs, Alison Tress and
Tina Rettig, warmly welcomed guests, ultiple myeloma patient Bill McHugh
M
was honored with the Carol Goldschein
Spirit of Hope Award presented by Celgene
Corporation. One year past Bill’s stem cell
transplant, he raised funds and awareness
for the MMRF by climbing the 1,576 steps
to the top of the Empire State Building!
As part of his acceptance remarks, Bill
shared, “To me, there are so many people
fighting so much harder than me.
They are my inspiration, and knowing
that I inspire them makes this (award)
very special. But I think the true spirit
of hope are the people from the MMRF.
The MMRF is my spirit of hope.”
uests were also treated to a witty
G
and hilarious performance by comedian
Mike Birbiglia, also a cancer survivor.
The evening’s success was no laughing
matter, as the sold-out event raised over
$750,000 for research.
Check out this year’s event: TheMMRF.org/Laugh
MMRF CHICAGO AWARDS DINNER
Maria Menounos Shares
Personal Journey as a Fellow
Warrior in the Fight Against
Cancer in Chicago
The MMRF hosted its annual Chicago
Awards Dinner on Wednesday, May 16,
with MMRF Honorary Board member,
actress, director, writer, producer and
Chicago native — the beloved Ms. Bonnie
Hunt. Bonnie, a former Chicago oncology
nurse, welcomed more than 500 guests
who came to honor the Linda and Joe
Cosgrove Family with the MMRF Spirit of
Hope Award. Claire Cosgrove, co-chair of
MMRF Chicago Young Professionals, and
Linda Cosgrove accepted on behalf of the
family. “Since my dad’s diagnosis in 2009,
my own journey from afraid teenager to
informed advocate was largely due to
the MMRF,” Claire said. “The MMRF is
like a family. They really care. Because of
the MMRF, we no longer had to watch
from the sidelines; we became active
participants in caring for my dad, and
that felt amazing.”
Maria Menounos also shared her
personal story as a fellow warrior in the
fight against cancer and her inspirational
message of courage and gratitude. Maria,
inspired by Kathy and the MMRF, shared,
“If only we had a Kathy for every disease.
What she has done for herself and others
affected by multiple myeloma is beyond
words. She has created a new model to
follow. By changing the typical nonprofit
model, we are seeing results more
quickly. And we need this in cancer —
all cancers.”
The evening’s fundraiser drew awareness
and necessary funds nearing $800,000
for research, with the hope of putting an
end to this thing called cancer.
Check out this year’s event: TheMMRF.org/ChicagoDinner
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