(Los Angeles, CA) – This Saturday, Sept. 26th, 2020, Concern Foundation for Cancer Research will host its 46th Annual and first virtual Block Party for all viewers around the world to enjoy. Usually held on the backlot of Paramount Pictures Studios in Hollywood, the Annual Block Party is the organization’s largest fundraising event, raising funds to support cancer research worldwide. At the block party, guests typically enjoy multiple stages of live entertainment, casino-style games, live and silent auctions, and food, desserts, and beverages from over 70 of Los Angeles’ best restaurants and caterers. However, due to the safety of its guests, this year the event has been redesigned into a virtual format available at www.ConcernBlockParty.org, allowing the event to be brought into your homes featuring a special musical guest and music performances, entertainment, a tour of the backlot of Paramount Studios, and a retrospective filled with pictures and stories of the past 45 years of Block Parties. To date, the virtual Block Party has raised 1.4 million dollars this year.
This year, the foundation has incorporated added support by celebrities sharing their stories, urging viewers to donate and/or get involved including actor Robbie Amell (Amazon’s “Upload”), award-winning broadcast journalist Frank Mottek, actress Italia Ricci (“Designated Survivor”), Savannah Kennick (“Arrested Development”), Fashion Designer and philanthropist Skye Drynan, Haley Pullos (“General Hospital”), Brittany Batchelder (“The Alienist”) and more. What originally started as a Los Angeles summer tradition that started on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills in the mid-70s will continue to stay alive in 2020 for viewers who tune in and watch for free at www.ConcernBlockParty.org.
“It is so gratifying that in this time of COVID-19 and so many other issues the tremendous support we have received from our loyal and cherished donors. The greatest enemy that we face today and even tomorrow when the virus is under control is cancer and we cannot lose sight of the importance of continuing to fund cancer research. I truly believe that we have successfully pivoted from our Annual in-person Block Party to a virtual format that has given us a chance to invite the entire world at no cost to be a part of our amazing event and organization. I encourage everyone to tune in and see what the Concern Foundation is about and be a part of something very special filled with music and memories.” - Derek Alpert, president
2020 marks Concern’s 52nd year and since its inception, Concern Foundation has awarded over $60 Million Dollars in salary support to well over 750 cancer researchers. While cancer is still one of the leading causes of death in the world, major strides have been made and there are more people surviving their cancer than ever before thanks to cancer research.
In addition to watching the virtual block party, viewers are welcome to view items that are available in a silent auction. These items can be found online at BLOCKPARTYLA.ORG and range from future vacation opportunities, resort stays, celebrity autographed memorabilia, couture garments, and one of a kind artwork. The Silent Auction is open and will remain open until September 30th, 2020 noon PDT. Viewers are also welcome to text to donate: CONCERN TO 77948
About Concern Foundation
CONCERN is an appropriate acronym (CONquer canCER Now) for one of Los Angeles’s best-known and most beloved charities. Since its inception in 1968, CONCERN Foundation, which is dedicated to raising and granting funds to support cancer research worldwide, has broken local ground in many ways: pioneering support of cancer research (specifically in funding young scientists); using the force of celebrity to raise funds; encouraging restaurants and then caterers to share center stage with celebrities to raise money; and pioneering the “block party” fundraiser concept. This non-profit organization’s fundraising milestones also chronicle a rich era in the entertainment-oriented social history of Los Angeles.
Concern Foundation’s mission is to conquer cancer by providing essential funds to support the early yet critical stages of discovery. For 52 years, Concern has pioneered the advancement of cancer immunology—the study of the relationship between the immune system and cancer—a field that is now widely acknowledged to hold the most potential for discovering treatments and preventions for cancer.
With 90-95% of net proceeds going directly to research, Concern Foundation has made significant strides toward bridging a major gap in research funding by focusing its grants on young, innovative researchers with breakthrough ideas.
For more information, please visit www.concernfoundation.org.
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