La Cassa Magica Raises Funds to Support a Clinical Trials Unit at Yale Cancer Center

New Haven, Conn. — Yale Cancer Center’s eighth annual black tie benefit, La Cassa Magica, was held on Saturday, April 21, at the Belle Haven Club in Greenwich. The evening raised over $400,000 to support the creation of a unit for clinical trials within the new Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven, which is currently under construction.

Once completed in December 2009, the new 14-story, $467 million hospital will represent the most modern and comprehensive cancer facility in New England.

Debbie and Louis Chênevert were the vice chairs for the evening, which was hosted by CNN television news anchor and Yale Cancer Center Board member Paula Zahn. Kathryn Anderson Adams of Greenwich chaired the event. Corporate chairs for La Cassa Magica included, George E. Crapple, Paul K. Kelly, Nicholas T. Makes, Joseph R. Perella, Hal Parmelee, and Richard Sackler, M.D.

Adams and Zahn were both honored for their continued support to Yale Cancer Center with plaques that will be displayed in the new Cancer Hospital thanking them for their commitment to cancer research and care in Connecticut.

Yale Cancer Center would like to thank the generous underwriters for the evening: Duke Brodsky, Howard Brodsky, CuraGen Corporation, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Evans, R.S. Evans Foundation Inc., Mr. and Mrs. G.S. Beckwith Gilbert, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Perella, Purdue Pharma L.P., Stewart Title Company, The Manocherian Family, Turner Construction Company, United Technologies Corporation, and Paula Zahn.

The evening included a performance by Franc D’Ambrosio, who is best known for his role in The Phantom of the Opera, for which he earned the title, “The World’s Longest Running Phantom,” after playing the role over 3,000 times, including the national tour and the San Francisco run for over five years. Franc D’Ambrosio’s BROADWAY has enjoyed a two-year national tour with more than 150 performances to date. Franc D’Ambrosio’s HOLLYWOOD will debut in spring 2007.

Yale Cancer Center is one of a select network of 39 comprehensive cancer centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute and the only one in Southern New England. Bringing together the resources of Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Yale University School of Medicine, its mission encompasses patient care, research, cancer prevention and control, community outreach, and education.