37th Lombardi Gala Honors Those Who Made Transformative Contributions in Cancer Research
By • March 27, 2025 0 149
Continuing a tradition spanning nearly four decades, more than 450 friends and supporters of Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center gathered for an evening of elegant fun and fundraising at the 37th Annual Lombardi Gala. The Director’s Champion in Research Award, which honors those whose philanthropy, leadership and advocacy have made transformative contributions in the world of cancer research, was presented to the Ralph Lauren Corporate Foundation. Emily Bhatnagar, a young philanthropist and advocate for children facing a cancer diagnosis, was celebrated with the annual Margaret L. Hodges Award, named for the gala’s founder. The Lombardi Gala raised hundreds of thousands of dollars through corporate sponsorships, tickets sales, a silent auction and an exciting live fundraising appeal to support research at Washington’s only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center.
Photos courtesy of Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.
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- A crowd of 450 dedicated Lombardi supporters gathered at The Anthem at The Wharf in D.C. for the 37th annual Lombardi Gala, the cancer center’s largest continuous fundraising event. (Images: Phil Humnicky / Georgetown).
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- Emily Bhatnagar, flanked by her father, Mike Bhatnagar, accepted the Margaret L. Hodges Award from Laurie Hodges Lapeyre and Walter Hodges.
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- Rachael Maynard, PhD, and Alex Lekan, PhD, gave gala attendees “A Closer Look: The Science Behind the Cure”
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- From left to right-Sharon Cross, Gala Co-Chairs Wes Hall and Sherrie Beckstead, Dr. Louis M. Weiner (Director of Georgetown Lombardi).
