Celebrity real estate agent Brendan Brown took the spotlight as a co-chair at the 25th Annual Angel Ball of Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research. This milestone event, organized by co-founders Denise Rich and her daughters, managed to raise an impressive sum of over $2.8 million, with numbers still climbing.
The prestigious gala, synonymous with top-tier entertainment and celebrity involvement, was graced by an array of luminaries. It celebrated philanthropists and humanitarian contributors to the cancer research cause, Co Founder Brendan Brown described the ambience of the event “Walking into the venue, Cipriani Wall Street, and seeing the amazing decor and the art prominently displayed for the auction was such a glamourous highlight of the evening. Especially the original pieces donated and created by friends of mine like James Goldcrown, Eric StefanskiI, Braxton Fuller, amongst others. It’s a beautiful thing to see people dressed so beautifully for a cause that raises money for one of the most vicious diseases.” Others in attendance included Richie Akiva, Monique Rodriguez, and Elizabeth Elting. Emmy Award-winner Tamron Hall took the reins as the evening’s emcee, introducing sensational acts like Mary J. Blige, Robin Thicke, and Miri Ben-Ari.
Throughout the night, guests were treated to thrilling live performances and a live auction, showcasing exclusive items and experiences. Further donations came in through a paddle raise, with significant donors receiving original artwork by Fer Da Silva.
Highlighting the event’s cause, it was unveiled that the Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation had recently selected the first two recipients of a $1M grant in partnership with The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research. This grant will further enable the foundation to bolster the impactful work of its grantees, promoting collaboration between scientists and institutions.
Among the glittering roster of attendees were Hollywood A-listers Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, and music icons like Bobby Shmurda. The dance floor resonated with beats from Grammy Award-winning artist, Jermaine Dupri, ensuring guests had an unforgettable night of celebration and charity. Co Founder Brendan said “One of the most beautiful parts of the event was listening to the people who have been directly helped by the foundation and sharing their stories of their loved ones, and even though they lost them, their drive to fight for a cure is so moving”.
Brendan Brown, as one of the event’s co-chairs, played a pivotal role in the gala’s success. His prominence in the real estate world, coupled with his dedication to philanthropy, made his involvement instrumental in reaching the event’s fundraising milestone. Brendan’s “favorite part of the evening was seeing how each year the foundation has grown, how many shared their amazing stories of how the foundation has changed their lives, and the lives of their family members and loved ones. How important the foundation’s mission is to saving the lives of those with blood cancer”.
Several top brands and names, including Cincoro Tequila, Farfetch, Mielle Organics, and Lorraine Schwartz, sponsored the evening. These sponsors, along with others like Armand de Brignac Champagne and Tito’s Handmade Vodka, showcased their unwavering support for the fight against cancer.
A standout moment of the night was the live auction led by Jamie McDonald. Among the items up for bid were a rejuvenating stay at Casa Maxence in Barcelona, exquisite earrings by Lorraine Schwartz Jewelry, and an offer for a luxurious wellness retreat, which, due to immense interest, was generously doubled by its founder, Alejandro Batallar.
Closing the evening, the focus returned to the primary mission of Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation — to fund groundbreaking research that will lead to advancements in cancer treatment. The success of the Angel Ball, co-chaired by Brendan Brown, serves as a testament to the collective power of community, philanthropy, and hope.
