T.J. Martell Foundation celebrates 35th Annual Awards Gala to raise funds for cancer and AIDS research

The T.J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research celebrated its 35th Annual Awards Gala on Wednesday, October 27th, 2010 at the New York Marriott Marquis and raised a total of $1.45 million. Artists Colbie Caillat, Enrique Iglesias, 3 Doors Down, Erin McCarley, Kenny Loggins and Charlie Daniels performed for the crowd of music and entertainment leaders, business and media executives, and celebrities; other attendees included radio host Stephanie Miller, country artist Jaron and the Long Road to Love, Sam Tsui, Kelli Tomashoff, Dalal Bruchmann and Jackson Kelly.  

Wendy Dio, the wife of legendary heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio who recently succumbed to cancer, made a generous donation of $100,000 for a stomach cancer research program in her late husband's name at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center; she also urged the audience to be vigilant about cancer screenings and checkups.  

The Foundation was proud to present the Humanitarian of the Year Awards to brothers Monte and Avery Lipman, President & CEO of Universal Republic Records and Co-President & COO of Universal Republic Records respectively; the Lifetime Artistic Achievement Award to Kenny Loggins; the Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award to Charlie Daniels; and the Lifetime Scientific Achievement Award to Harold L. Moses, MD, Director Emeritus of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.

The event included a live and silent auction, which raised a combined $122,000 for cancer and AIDS research; several items, like lunch with fashion guru Tim Gunn, are also being auctioned now at CharityFolks.com.

The T.J. Martell Foundation is proud to partner with Wines That Rock, who was on hand conducting a wine tasting and distribute door prizes to several lucky winners. Visit www.wines-that-rock.com/tjmartell to purchase wine and have a portion of the proceeds benefit cancer and AIDS research.