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Wednesday, July 15, 2009 9:08 p.m.

GW benefactor dies at 91

by Emily Cahn

Dr. Cyrus Katzen, a long-time benefactor to the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, passed away Sunday. He was 91.

Katzen is best known for making the largest individual donation  to the University this past September ($10 million) to create the Dr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Cancer Research Center, as well being the principle benefactor to GW’s annual Cancer Gala, which raises thousands of dollars for cancer research.

“The work he supported, through the annual Cancer Gala and, most recently, the creation of the Dr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Cancer Research Center, has touched the lives of many within the GW family and across the greater Washington region,” University President Steven Knapp said in a statement. “He will be sorely missed, but his legacy will live on through the healing and discovery that his generosity has made possible.”

Katzen shared his personal fortune with more schools than just GW. In 2005, the Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Arts Center opened at American University due to Katzen’s financial contributions.

Katzen is survived by his wife, Myrtle, his children Linda and Jay, and his many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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Wednesday, April 29, 2009 4:15 a.m.

Black-tie gala raises thousands for cancer research

by Sarah Scire

The University’s black-tie Cancer Gala sold 550 tickets at $500 each but the final amount raised for cancer research is not yet available, the event’s organizers said.

The ticket sales for the 6th annual event netted the GW Cancer Institute and the Katzen Cancer Research Center $275,000, GW Medical Center spokeswoman Anne Banner wrote in an e-mail.

“We had 550 guests at the Gala–however, with sponsorships and expenses, we do not have those numbers for you,” Banner wrote in response to a request for the total amount raised.

The gala, which was hosted by CNN’s Wolf Blitzer, took place in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Saturday night.

The gala also raised funds through sponsorships and auctions, including a live auction on Saturday night and silent auctions online.

One bid in particular caught some local media attention. D.C. Council member Marion Barry, a former mayor of D.C., bid $800 for an opera jacket he plans to give to his girlfriend, the Washington Post reported. Barry owes about $275,000 in back taxes, interest and penalties.

Husna Kazmir contributed to this report.

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