Denise Rich, Dr. Stephen D. Nimer, and Kelly Leach spoke with Markos Papadatos at the 2026 Angel Ball GALA, which was held on October 19th at Cipriani Wall Street.
Denise Rich
On hosting this event, Rich exclaimed, “I am really very excited. It’s incredible. It’s almost 30 years since we’ve begun this charity and 88 cents of every dollar goes to research, which is really incredible.”
“We have 340 researchers and 47 million that we’ve given away. I’m very excited about tonight, Deborah Cox is performing, and also Shaggy and Lynda Carter is an honoree. It’s incredible,” she said.
“Lynda Carter and I both shared something in common, unfortunately, that we both lost people close to us to cancer… I lost my daughter, she lost her husband to AML leukemia,” Rich said. “So, it’s incredible that she’s here and that we’re all here. I’m very excited about that. It is also special to honor Dionne Warwick, six-time Grammy winner.”
When asked to reflect on the past 30 years, Rich remarked, “Right now, behind you, is a picture of my daughter, Gabriella, who I miss every day. Honoring her by memory with her last wish was that there would be no more cancer. We’re fighting until I’m not alive anymore to make sure that there won’t be any more cancer. We are very dedicated to that cause.”
Dr. Stephen D. Nimer
Dr. Stephen D. Nimer serves as the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Board of Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research.
“It’s amazing to be here. Who would have thought that the foundation would be able to accomplish all this in 30 years,” he said.
“My day job involves being the Director of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in the University of Miami,” he said.
“I’ve spent my whole life trying to find new cures for people with leukemia and blood cancers. We set this foundation up to reward these incredibly young talented scientists that nobody has ever heard of, and provide them with enough money that they can pursue their new ideas and come up with better treatments for patients,” he elaborated.
“Tonight, we celebrate what Denise Rich has done in honor of her daughter, and how this New York community has gotten together to support this mission,” he added.
Kelly Leach
Kelly Leach is a New York City-based mom who spoke about her journey of grief, resilience, and hope. Her late husband, Todd Day, tragically passed away in October of 2024 from complications related to treatment for secondary lymphoma. “This is such a great cause, such a great place, and it is so important deeply to me because of the story that is attached to it,” she said.
“My husband passed away from complications from Diffuse Large B-cell lymphoma, and so, to be able to stand up there tonight to share his story, to talk about what funding this research means for families like mine… it’s time, it’s hope, and to be able to share this, to raise money and awareness is just an absolute gift,” she elaborated.
“Ever since my husband passed away from complications from diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, my goal is to be able to give more families time. I wish that I had that for him,” she noted.
“I wish I had it for my son, my daughter, and so that I was able to afford that,” she said.
For people at this event, she remarked, “We are here to raise money. This is a wonderful cause, and I hope that in addition to doing that, people are able to connect with each other. I think cancer touches every one of us,” she concluded.
Background on the 2026 Angel Ball GALA
The Angel Ball featured a live auction, hosted by auctioneer, Seth Herzog, Resident Comedian & Sketch Performer, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Guests had the opportunity to bid on items such as a transformative journey through some of Peru’s most extraordinary destinations from Belmond, the pioneer of exceptional luxury; stunning jewelry from celebrity jeweler Lorraine Schwartz; and an all-inclusive stay for 4 people in two private bungalows at the Award Winning Four Seasons Naviva in Mexico and 7 days at the Lucia Magnani Health Clinic, Italy.
Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation will continue to host an online auction at this website open to the public through October 22nd. The auction highlights exclusive experiences, such as dining at a table for four at Rao’s, concert tickets paired with a meet-and-greet with renowned rock singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, and luxury villa retreats at the Albany Resort in the Bahamas, The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, and the Round Hill Hotel in Jamaica, among other unique offerings.
Additionally, dozens of talented and generous artists contributed to the Angel Ball Art Auction. Guests can place bids online at this website up until October 22nd or in person for original creations by artists including Mr. Brainwash, Fernanda Laverera, Bradley Theodore, Halim Flowers, and Jill Cunniff.
