The UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation (JCCF) held its premier fundraising event, Taste for a Cure, on May 10, 2024, at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. Now in its 27th year, Taste for a Cure unites the entertainment and epicurean communities to raise valuable funds for innovative cancer research at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (UCLA Health JCCC).
University of California Regent Jay Sures, vice chairman and a managing director of United Talent Agency, opened the evening’s program with event co-chair and JCCF board member Dana Walden, co-chairman of Disney Entertainment. Sures introduced Emmy Award-winning television host and radio personality Ryan Seacrest, who hosted the event. Seacrest is known for hosting and producing On Air with Ryan Seacrest, ABC’s American Idol, Live with Ryan and Kelly and Wheel of Fortune. He has also produced several series, including E!’s Keeping Up with the Kardashians. Seacrest’s philanthropic efforts include serving as founder and chairman of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation.
The special evening honored Stephen A. Smith, executive producer and star of ESPN’s First Take, who received the 2024 Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award. In addition to his television work, Smith hosts a podcast, The Stephen A. Smith Show. His book, Straight Shooter: A Memoir of Second Chances and First Takes, became a New York Times Best Seller.
The Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award was created in memory of Gil Nickel, proprietor of Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel and Dolce wineries, who lost a courageous battle against melanoma in October 2003. The award honors key individuals for their humanitarian efforts, community involvement and commitment to philanthropy. “We are honored to continue the memory of Gil Nickel with the Gil Nickel Humanitarian Award,” said Erik Nickel, event co-chair, JCCF board member and partner at Far Niente Family of Wines. “We recognize the challenges facing cancer researchers as they pursue untried avenues to discover new methods to treat cancer. Partnering with UCLA on Taste for a Cure means this meaningful contribution will help make life a bit easier for those coping with cancer.”
Consistently ranked among the top culinary events in Southern California, Taste for a Cure features tastings from respected chefs and the finest restaurants, with wines from some of the best vineyards. An array of dishes from Angelini, Chinois on Main, Tasting Thyme, The Blvd. at the Beverly Wilshire and more were served, along with wines from Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel and En Route.
Guests were treated to a special performance by musician Seal, who has achieved global success with more than 30 million albums sold, more than one billion streams and multiple awards, including four Grammys. His music catalog includes hits such as “Crazy” and “Kiss from a Rose.” Beyond music, Seal has appeared in various films and shows, such as The Lonely Island’s Pop Star: Never Stop Never Stopping.
Attendees also enjoyed a stand-up comedy act from Emmy-nominated comedian, Roy Wood Jr. Wood is known for his work on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and his highly rated stand-up specials on Comedy Central. He is also known for his acting roles in series such as Only Murders in the Building and Better Call Saul, as well as films. Wood is recognized for his philanthropic efforts, raising funds for comedy club staff during the pandemic and supporting community organizations in his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama.
In addition to Dana Walden and Erik Nickel, event co-chairs included Joe Cohen, a managing director and head of television at Creative Artists Agency; E. Brian Dobbins, talent manager/producer at Artists First; Jon Holman, president of The Holman Group; Jake Kasdan, producer, director, writer and filmmaker; Tendo Nagenda, producer and film executive; Gary Newman, executive partner at Attention Capital; Keri Shahidi, producer, 7th Sun Productions; Sandra Stern, vice chairman, LIONSGATE TV Group; and Arthur Wayne, VP of Global Brand Marketing and Communication, Brooks Brothers. The Hollywood Reporter once again served as a media partner.
“We are deeply grateful to our co-chairs for their commitment to our cause and belief in this important research,” said JCCF board chair Randy Katz. “Philanthropic support is essential to our mission, and over the past 27 years, Taste for a Cure has raised tens of millions of dollars for the highest-priority cancer research at UCLA Health JCCC. Discoveries made in one cancer type speed progress in addressing a variety of malignancies, and the contribution from tonight’s event help us to continue advancing cancer studies.”
Since 1945, the JCCF has been instrumental in raising private funds for cancer research for UCLA Health JCCC, led by its director, Dr. Michael Teitell (PhD ’91, MD ’93), president of UCLA JCCF and Lya and Harrison Latta Endowed Chair in Pathology in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. UCLA Health JCCC dedicated researchers are recognized as international leaders in the discovery of new and better ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. Since 2014, UCLA Health JCCC research has led or contributed to a remarkable 24 approvals from the FDA for new cancer treatments or protocols.
For 24 consecutive years, UCLA Health JCCC has also been recognized as one of the best locations in the country to receive cancer care, according to the U.S. News & World Report national honor roll. In 2024, its best hospitals specialty rankings once again named UCLA Health JCCC as a Top 10 center in the country.
For more information, contact Jacqueline Farina at: 310-794-7643
