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Mass General Cancer Center Benefit Raises $255,000

Lisa Sisco (right) walked the runway with her oncologist, Lipika Goyal, MD. Lisa is receiving chemotherapy for a rare form of cancer called cholangiocarcinoma.

Hospital News

Mass General Cancer Center Benefit Raises $255,000

The Friends of the Mass General Cancer Center host fall fashion show to fund supportive care services for patients and families.

by
Colette O'Neill
November 19, 2019

Hair, make-up, accessories. Lights, runway and go! On Oct. 25, 2019, nearly 300 people attended Couture for Cancer Care, the 27th annual fall benefit put on by the Friends of the Mass General Cancer Center. In a ballroom at the InterContinental Boston hotel, tables and chairs were replaced with runway and risers for a fashion show that featured patients and their caregivers.

“It was yet another way of illustrating the Mass General philosophy that our patients are our partners.”

This year’s show raised $255,000 to provide cancer patients and families with a wide range of supportive care services at no cost. Marion Martignetti, Leslie McCafferty and Kay Mukherjee co-chaired the event.

Good Vibes and Big Support

Emmy-winning executive producer and television personality, Jenny Johnson emceed the evening, along with David P. Ryan, MD, clinical director, Mass General Cancer Center and chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology. Their onstage rapport was a hit as they introduced each patient-caregiver duo to showcase the latest trends from Boston’s fashion scene.

One such duo featured Westwood, Massachusetts resident Lisa Sisco, who walked with her oncologist, Lipika Goyal, MD. Lisa is receiving chemotherapy for a rare form of cancer called cholangiocarcinoma. She has responded well.

Walking the runway alongside Dr. Goyal was a wonderful experience for Lisa. “Not only was it exciting to get ‘all dolled up’ and have fun for a cause I believe in and support, it was meaningful and humbling to do it with my doctor by my side,” she says. Dr. Goyal agrees. “I loved the experience,” she says. “It was yet another way of illustrating the Mass General philosophy that our patients are our partners.”

Event partners Cole Haan, Details and Goods, Fulham Salon, Giorgio Armani Beauty, Mr. Sid, and Vineyard Vines dressed and prepped the 11 patient-caregiver duos for the runway show. DJ Deja amped up the vibe with her energetic tunes.

Since inception in 1988, the Friends of the Mass General Cancer Center have raised more than $7 million.

Cancer Center Friends’ Focus

Every day, clinical care teams at Mass General Cancer Center tackle the most complex cases in the world and dedicate themselves to transforming care for all patients. In that same vein, the volunteer-run Friends of the Mass General Cancer Center focus on raising funds to bridge medical and supportive cancer care through innovative programs that promote whole-person healing.

Since inception in 1988, the Friends of the Mass General Cancer Center have raised more than $7 million. The Friends utilize all donations from individuals, corporations and foundations to fund programs and supportive care services for people living with cancer.

The Mass General Lymphedema Screening Program is one such effort in place. Here, lymphedema screening is incorporated into the standard of care for all newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. The Katherine A. Gallagher Integrative Therapies Program also helps improve patient and family well-being. Free services include music and art therapy, massage, Reiki and yoga.

For more information about care at the Mass General Cancer Center and the services supported by the Friends of the Mass General Cancer Center, please contact us.