The Varadi Ovarian Initiative for Cancer Education (VOICE) held its second annual fundraising concert on Thursday, September 24, and raised approximately $40,000.
The organization was established by Charles “Chick” Rudy to honor his significant other, Dr. Marilyn Varadi, who is a resident of North Shore Towers. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2005.
“It seems most appropriate that we hold our fundraising functions during the month of September, as September has been designated by President Obama National Ovarian Cancer Month,” Rudy said during his opening remarks.
Approximately 375 people attended the concert, which featured new singing sensation Melissa Goscinski and well-known Doo Wop group The Manhattan Skyline. Following the concert, there was also a dessert reception.
Money raised during the event, which was held in the North Shore Towers Cinema and Towers on the Green, will benefit the National Ovarian Cancer Early Detection Program at Mount Sinai Hospital. The program is led by Dr. David A. Fishman.
“We hope to make people aware of the symptoms of the disease as well as to educate them as to the importance of the early detection program,” Rudy said, adding that VOICE also hopes to help eradicate ovarian cancer or at least make it more treatable.
Rudy said that, with a $100,000 gift, VOICE recently established the Varadi Fellowship for Ovarian Cancer Research. In addition, he announced that, over the past few months, there have been discussions with a major drug company that is interested in collaborating with Fishman and VOICE to support Fishman’s research efforts and develop new medications to treat ovarian cancer.
