“Lions, Tigers & Cures: Concern on Safari,” the Concern Foundation’s 51st Annual Block Party at the Paramount Studios Backlot emerged as one of the charity’s most successful outings to date. At the sold-out endeavor on July 11, 4,000 explorers helped raise a record $2.5 million to support groundbreaking cancer research.
This year’s honoree, Concern Foundation co-founder and Board Chair Jackie Gottlieb, received the Steve R. Freed Spirit of Concern Volunteer Leadership Award in recognition of her decades of service to the organization.
On this year’s edible journey, supporting the conservation of life, explorers hit the trails to track down and taste delicious specimens from more than 70 Los Angeles restaurants, which ran the gamut from comfort food favorites (Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs; Factor’s Famous Deli, Dulan’s on Crenshaw Soul Food Restaurant; Maria’s Italian Kitchen, Maple Block Meat Co.) to beloved L.A. institutions (The Grill on the Alley, La Boheme, City Club Los Angeles, Vibrato Grill,) and innovative destination restaurants (Wife and the Somm, Arth Bar + Kitchen, Arth Bar + Kitchen, Girl & the Goat LA, Engine Co. No. 28), and those continuing to bring the world to L.A. (Fitoor Santa Monica, Picala Restaurant, Yama Sushi Marketplace, Le Shrimp Noodle Bar, Ramen Tatsunoya, Ayara Thai, Casablanca).
There were plenty of places to wash all of this deliciousness down, with cocktails, samples, and other surprises from Dulce Vida Tequila, Empress 1908 Gin, Hendrick’s Gin, Knox & Dobson, Milagro Tequila, Still Moon Moonshine, Tequila Comisario, Xoloitzcuintle Tequila, Yamazakura Japanese Whiskey, and Zotovich Family Vineyards and Winery.
Three stages across the backlot kept guests entertained with performances by the Tom Nolan Band, D’ City Sound & Events, and the beloved Vibrato Grill Jazz Stage, featuring the Jason Goldstein Sextet with Lilli Passero and special guest performers throughout the evening. Brian Kramer Photography, Digital Photo Studio, and SnapItStudio.com, Casino Style Gaming presented by Pechanga Resort Casino, Explorer Base Camps & Lounges sponsored by Anxiety Therapy LA and Mount Sinai Memorial Parks, Spa Services provided by Fairmont Spa Century Plaza, and Safari Inspired Glamour Makeovers from the Beauty Bus Foundation also contributed to the fun.
Though cancer research is a broad field, Concern Foundation focuses its funding in the areas of immunology, immunotherapy, genetics, and cell biology. These are the basic building blocks needed to achieve a better understanding of a cell’s function and mis-function within the human body for both adults and children. By targeting talented post-doctoral scientists and providing crucial salary support for innovative projects, Concern Foundation bridges the gap in the scientific research community. The knowledge gained from these young research scientists will lead to future treatments, early diagnosis and eventually stop this insidious disease.
To accomplish the organization’s humanitarian mission, Concern Foundation depends on a local, national, and international network of donors. There are countless individuals, local businesses, and corporations who provide generous support each year. With an administrative overhead of 5%, Concern has granted millions of dollars to research projects throughout the cancer research community locally, nationally, and abroad. Thanks to a strong and ever-growing core of multi-generational volunteers, Concern continues to thrive as an independent source of funding cancer research. Additionally, biennial meetings of a peer-to-peer Scientific Review Committee ensure that only the strongest and most promising research is funded.
For more information on the Concern Foundation’s 52nd Annual Block Party, in July 2027, please visit the website, https://www.concernfoundation.org.