Joe Biden to Be Honored at Stars of Stony Brook Gala

Honoring his tireless commitment to expanding the horizons of medical research, Stony Brook University will host the 47^th Vice President of the United States, Joseph R. Biden Jr., at its annual Stars of Stony Brook Gala on Wednesday, April 19.

Joseph R. Biden Jr., 47th Vice President of the United States

“Vice President Biden’s determination to accelerate advances in cancer research is a beacon of hope to tens of millions across the country who are suffering from the disease,” said Richard L. Gelfond, Chair of the Board of Trustees, CEO of IMAX Corporation and Gala Co-Chair. “We look forward to recognizing his leadership as we celebrate our remarkable students and Stony Brook Cancer Center at this year’s Gala.”

Vice President Biden is being recognized for his exceptional dedication to the fight against cancer. The benefit gala will take place at 6:30 pm at Pier Sixty, Chelsea Piers, New York City.

“Cancer touches us all in some way and at some point,” Vice President Biden said. “Everywhere I go, people share their stories of heartbreak and hope. And every day, I’m reminded that our work to end cancer as we know it is bigger than just a single person. It carries the hopes and dreams of millions of people who are praying that we succeed, praying for hope, praying for time – not someday, but now.”

As Vice President, Biden led the White House Cancer Moonshot, with the mission to double the rate of progress in preventing and fighting the disease.

“We are privileged to have the opportunity to honor former Vice President Biden,” said Stony Brook University President Samuel L. Stanley Jr.

“The Cancer Moonshot has the potential to transform cancer research and prevention around the world,” Stanley said. “This critical initiative is a reflection of the work our researchers and doctors are doing in Stony Brook Cancer Center labs – using insight, innovation and strategic collaborations to push the boundaries of what we know about how best to diagnose treat and ultimately prevent the disease that is responsible for more than 8 million deaths a year worldwide.”

Under Biden’s leadership, the White House Cancer Moonshot Task Force catalyzed novel, innovative and impactful collaborations among 20 government agencies, departments and White House offices and over 70 private sector collaborations designed to achieve a decades’ worth of progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer in just five years. In addition, he helped lead the effort to pass the 21st Century Cures Act, which provides $1.8 billion over seven years for the Cancer Moonshot’s scientific priorities.

Research and discovery are at the heart of the Stony Brook ethos and the university’s Cancer Center is a shining example of its commitment to combating the malady. Stony Brook doctors are on the forefront of the next generation in cancer care. The Cancer Center will relocate next year to the new 254,000 square-foot Medical and Research Translation facility (MART) which was designed to enable scientists and physicians to work side by side to advance cancer research and imaging diagnostics.  It will be also home to the new Bahl Center for Metabolomics and Imaging.

Stony Brook researchers are receiving worldwide attention for their pioneering research into the genesis and behavior of cancer cells at the molecular level, which will one day help detect, treat, and eliminate the disease altogether.

Every spring the Stony Brook Foundation hosts the Stars of Stony Brook Gala to benefit student scholarships and a select academic program. Since its inception in 2000, the event has raised more than $42 million. A portion of the net proceeds from this year’s gala will support the Stony Brook Cancer Center.

This year’s honoree, former Vice President Biden, joins a distinguished roster of scholars, politicians, celebrities and luminaries who have been honored by the Gala for their outstanding and relentless commitment to society, such as Nobel laureate C.N. Yang; IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond; actors Julie Andrews, Alan Alda and Ed Harris; founder of Renaissance Technologies, Jim Simons; CA Technologies founder Charles Wang; and world-renowned conservationists Richard Leakey and Patricia Wright.

For more information, please visit: http://www.stonybrook.edu/gala