In 2025 alone, it’s estimated that more than 2 million Americans will be newly diagnosed with one of the 200 types of cancer. Their disease will in turn affect their families, friends, colleagues and communities – making cancer the kind of devastation that affects nearly everyone in some way.
The Philly-based American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) recognizes this – and has been on the forefront of cancer research since its founding in 1907, making it the oldest cancer organization in the world, with one of the most far-reaching impacts: They have 58,000 members in 141 countries, including 56 Nobel Laureates, and fund research in every single type of pediatric and adult cancer.
They have a very clear end goal: to eradicate cancer.
On Sunday, October 26, 2025, you can help be a part of that mission, as the group holds its annual Party With A Purpose from 5pm until 9pm at the Hilton Philadelphia Penn’s Landing. Tickets start at $200, and donations of all amounts are welcome.
Every year the gala honors exceptional work in a specific area of cancer; this year, the honorees are all working in the field of melanoma. They include:
- Dr. Lynn M. Schucter, Director of the Tara Miller Melanoma Center at the Abramson Cancer Center at Penn’s Perelman School of Medicine;
- Dr. Alexander Huang, Assistant Professor of Medicine, also at the Perelmen School of Medicine at Penn;
- Tara Miller Melanoma Foundation, created in memory of the late Tara Miller to support research of effective treatment methods and ultimately cure melanoma;
- Cancer survivor Patricia D. Wellenbach, past President & CEO of the Please Touch Museum and past Board Chair of Thomas Jefferson University/Jefferson Health.
Given the Trump administration’s gutting of research funding, the need for AACR’s work is particularly dire this year. As The New York Times recently reported:
In a matter of months, the Trump administration has canceled hundreds of millions of dollars in cancer-related research grants and contracts […] and suspended or delayed payments for hundreds of millions more. It is trying to sharply reduce the percentage of expenses that the government will cover for federally funded cancer-research labs. It has terminated hundreds of government employees who helped lead the country’s cancer-research system and ensured that new discoveries reached clinicians, cancer patients and the American public.
Matthew Ryan, the volunteer president of this year’s event, has been involved with the organization for years, inspired by his father’s commitment to the organization after he lost his beloved sister and parents to cancer. A particular point of pride for Ryan: That 88 cents of every dollar goes directly to research.
“If you’re someone who wants to support cancer research, you can know with a donation to AACR that your money is going to do something,” Ryan says. “It helps people who are on the cutting edge of research. These funds are what allow us to get closer and closer to a cure. We’re trying to eliminate cancer and take away that scourge on so many people’s lives.”
The Party With A Purpose is Sunday, October 26, 2025, 5pm – 9pm, Hilton Philadelphia Penn’s Landing, 201 S. Christopher Columbus Boulevard. Tickets start at $200, donations welcome.
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