Waxman Luncheon Raises Nearly $250,000 for Cancer Research

By AI, Created 4:57 PM UTC, June 03, 2026, /AGP/ – The Samuel Waxman Institute for Aging & Cancer held its 12th annual luncheon in New York City, honoring Alexandra Adame and Mary Slattery and drawing support from the fashion and philanthropy communities. With a match from The Mark Foundation, the event’s total proceeds are expected to reach almost $500,000.

Why it matters: - The luncheon supports cancer research focused on aging, a core risk factor the Samuel Waxman Institute was created to study. - Nearly $250,000 was raised at the June 3 event at Riverpark in New York City. - A match from The Mark Foundation will double the proceeds, lifting the total to almost $500,000. - The result makes this the most successful Waxman Luncheon to date.

What happened: - The Samuel Waxman Institute for Aging & Cancer held its 12th Annual Waxman Luncheon at Riverpark in New York City. - The event brought together philanthropists, fashion community members and cancer research advocates. - The luncheon honored fashion entrepreneur Alexandra Adame and Corcoran real estate broker Mary Slattery for their commitment to advancing cancer research. - Safiyaa served as the event’s fashion presenter.

The details: - The Samuel Waxman Institute for Aging & Cancer is an affiliate of The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research. - The institute was established to address aging as the single greatest risk factor for cancer. - The institute pairs scientists studying aging biology with researchers focused on oncology. - The goal is to better understand the link between aging and cancer and to develop more effective treatments and prevention strategies. - Attendees could enter a raffle for a diamond pendant necklace valued at $18,000 and donated by Brilliant Star. - Live and silent auctions featured donated luxury items from Judith Leiber, Ippolita, Carlos Falchi, Maximillion, Jimmy Choo and Kobi Halperin. - Notable attendees included Dr. Samuel Waxman, Marion Waxman, Alexandra Adame, Mary Slattery, Navarre Rice, Danielle Karnuts, Tali Mehdyzdeh and others connected to the event sponsors and honorees. - Event chairs were Marion N. Waxman, Susan Pernick and Dina Koutroumanis. - Event co-chairs were Erica Linden-Fineberg, Nancy Litman and Helen Vaysman. - Committee members included Sandy Ackerman, Jessica DiPalma, Orital Karelic, Norah Lawlor, Lorri Scott, Tali Mehdyzdeh and Randi Schatz.

Between the lines: - The luncheon blends fashion-driven fundraising with a medical-research mission, a formula that helps broaden donor appeal beyond traditional cancer philanthropy. - The Mark Foundation match increases the fundraising impact and signals institutional backing for the Waxman Institute’s aging-and-cancer research agenda. - The event’s mix of honorees, luxury auction items and fashion presentation suggests the luncheon is as much a social-calendar fixture as a fundraising platform.

What’s next: - The Waxman Institute will continue using its partnership model to support research on aging biology and oncology. - The organization will also continue to draw on The Mark Foundation’s global cancer research network and the SWCRF’s 50-year history of international scientific collaboration. - More information is available at waxmaninstitute.org. - The organization also listed social channels on Instagram, Facebook and X/Twitter for ongoing updates.

The bottom line: - The 12th annual Waxman Luncheon turned a New York charity event into a major fundraising win for cancer research, with final proceeds on track to approach half a million dollars.