WHO:

Joan Collins, film and television actress and international humanitarian, received the American-Italian Cancer Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award last night, November 11, at the annual American-Italian Cancer Foundation Gala at the Pierre Hotel in NYC.

Celebrities and notables who attended include Massimo and Chiara Ferragamo, Mrs. Wanda Ferragamo, Eva Lorenzotti, Anna Bulgari, Valesca Guerrand-Hermes, Frederic Fekkai, Ghislaine Maxwell, Nikki Haskell, Percy Gibson and Italian film star Maria Grazia Cucinotta, leading actress in the foreign hit IL POSTINO.

Board members and politicians who attended include U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, the Honorable Giorgio Radicati, Consul General of Italy to the United States, and His Excellency Sergio Vento, Permanent Representative of Italy to the United Nations.

The Gala co-chairmen were Mario J. Gabelli, Chairman Gabelli Asset Management and Sidney Taurel, Chairman, President and CEO, Eli Lilly and Company.

Dr. Paul A. Bunn and Dr. Gabriella Sozzi received the American-Italian Cancer Foundation’s Scientific Excellence in Medicine Award.

WHAT:

The Foundation’s annual Benefit honors scientific excellence in medicine and cancer research in the United States and Europe. The Gala raised over $1.4 million, which will continue to fund the research and free cancer screening programs of the Foundation in the United States.

Notable live auction items of the evening included a limited edition Cadillac Convertible XLF with Bulgari leather interior that went for $135,000, a Nautor’s Swan Yacht cruise for $21,000, a Bulgari diamond and platinum necklace for $14,500 and a dinner cooked personally by and eaten with Maria Grazia Cucinotta for $12,000. The live auction raised $329, 500, and the silent auction raised $135,000.

WHEN:

Monday, November 11, 2002, Silent Auction 6pm, Live Auction 7pm, Awards Ceremony and Dinner 8:15pm

MEDIA:

AndosciaMoss Communications:
Caroline Andoscia/Courtney Moss: 212 206 1972/212 452 1114

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