Leading up to the 7th Annual TargetCancer Foundation Gala, we will be sharing stories and perspectives on the gala from the many people who make up the TargetCancer Foundation community.
Below is a reflection from TargetCancer Foundation President Kristen Palma Poth, wife of founder Paul Poth. You can lean more about the founding of TargetCancer Foundation by reading our oral history, or by watching our video about Paul’s original mission. Kristen is pictured above speaking at the first TargetCancer Foundation Gala in 2010.
“When we put together that first event in October 2010, we really had no idea what we were doing. Paul had died of cholangiocarcinoma just over one year earlier. We were grieving and working hard to push forward his vision for TargetCancer. My brother, Jim, had left his job at Fidelity to become the full time Executive Director. Together with many friends and former colleagues of Paul’s at Mintz Levin, we planned our first major fundraiser in about six weeks!
I think it was just pure love for Paul that made this first event such a success. We had enormous support from Mintz Levin, and almost 125 family, friends and colleagues came out to support us. On top of the auction and speaking program, there was a full concert featuring Kay Hanley from Letters to Cleo, Will Dailey, and Mike Gent of The Figgs. It was a marathon evening…over five hours!
I will never forget looking out and seeing the crowd filled with so many people who loved Paul. I truly believe it was a healing experience for everyone there- a chance to remember Paul, hear great music, which he loved, and fundraise for a cause so important to all of us. Six years later, the gala is at Fenway Park, we expect over 300 guests, and we are close to awarding $1 million in research grants that are making a major impact in treating these terrible rare cancers. I am amazed and so proud.”