The Playground: What You Should Be Doing This Week

When: Thursday, September 24, 2015 Where: Kennedy Center What: The sixth annual Susan G. Komen® Honoring the Promise: Celebrating Progress in the Fight against Breast Cancer Gala. Proceeds from the event, which pays tribute to leaders in the fight against breast cancer, are used to fund cutting-edge breast cancer research around the globe as well as community health programs in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region, which has one the highest mortality rates from breast cancer in the nation. Dr. Steven Rosenberg, considered a pioneer in the development of cancer immunotherapy, will receive the Betty Ford Lifetime Achievement Award at the gala for his four decades of work fighting cancer at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md. Breast cancer survivor Joan Lunden also will be recognized. Multiplatinum singer-songwriter Matt Goss will perform at the event. Goss lost his mother to breast cancer in 2014 and has partnered with Komen to help raise money for breast cancer research. His song “Strong” is an inspirational tribute to all those who have been affected by the disease. Goss performed at Komen’s Washington, D.C. Race for the Cure in May. Special guests at this year’s event include Nancy Brinker, Komen’s founder; Dr. Judith Salerno, Komen’s president and CEO; and David Rubenstein, CEO of the Carlyle Group, who is the founding chair. Deborah Norville, anchor of Inside Edition, will be the mistress of ceremonies. Former Secretary of Transportation the Hon. Ray LaHood and his wife, Kathy, are the gala chairs. Honorary chairs are: Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Sen. Susan Collins, Rep. Debbie Dingell and her husband, the Hon. John Dingell, Sen. Chuck Grassley, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz. [Details] [Photo via Washington Life]