To celebrate the launch of the Florida Chapter of Voices Against Brain Cancer and the upcoming Sounding Off For A Cure Concert, taking place at the Fillmore Miami Beach at The Jackie Gleason Theater on February 10th, a special cocktail celebration was held at D. Rodriguez Cuba at the historic Hotel Astor. Supporters joined, Voices Against Brain Cancer founder, Mario Lichtenstein as they toasted the organization’s achievements. With the sounds of Conjunto Progreso, who provided the night’s entertainment, guests enjoyed delicious hor d’oeuvres by De Rodriguez Cuba and cocktails by Atlántico Rum.
Prominent Miami fixtures and charity ambassadors that came to support the foundation included: Dr. Joseph Rosenblatt (Interim Director, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center), Chef Douglas Rodriguez (Globally acclaimed Godfather of Nuevo Latino Cuisine), Alexia & Herman Echevarria (Owners of Venue Magazine), Brian Elias (Owner of Lucky Strike), Pedro & Carolina Martinez (Major League Baseball Pitcher), Frank Amadeo (President of Estefan Enterprises), Oscar & Carole Seikaly (Philanthropists and Managing Partner of NSI Insurance Group), Yolanda & Jeff Berkowitz (Philanthropists, President and Founder of Berkowitz Development Group), Leslie Munsell (Co-Founder of Van Michael Salon and Founder of Beauty For Real), Mari Alarcon-Grimalt (Founder and Owner of hip.e boutique), H.I.H. Pincess Thi-Nga of Vietnam and Laura Buccellati among others. With toasts and congratulations all around, it was certainly a soiree to remember.
ABOUT VOICES AGAINST BRAIN CANCER
Our mission is to find a cure for brain cancer by advancing scientific research, increasing awareness within the medical community and supporting patients and families afflicted with this devastating disease.
Voices Against Brain Cancer was started in loving memory of Gary Lichtenstein who lost his valiant battle with brain cancer on October 1, 2003. Gary was living in Chicago and working as an options trader at Wolverine Trading when he was diagnosed with a brain tumor in March of 2003. He was 24 years old at the time. After three months of radiation, Gary slipped into a coma from which he did not recover.
Over the past 30 years, very little progress has been made to treat brain tumors. Only with cutting-edge scientific research and funding of clinical trials will we be able to effectively fight this disease. Voices Against Brain Cancer will promote this type of research within the medical community by working with those doctors that are committed to curing and treating brain tumors. Additionally, the foundations works to fund support groups for patience’s and caregivers.
At this time, brain tumor research is underfunded and the public remains unaware of the magnitude of this disease. The cure rate for most brain tumors is significantly lower than it is for many other types of cancers. Our Foundation is driven by these facts and committed to finding a cure.. It is the goal of our Foundation and its supporters to fund the research that will directly impact those affected with brain tumors. For more information, please visit www.vociesagainstbraincancer.org.
Photographs by Orlando Garcia
