Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation’s 28th Angel Ball Raises $3 Million With Lynda Carter, Dionne Warwick & Shaggy

Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research celebrated its 28th Annual Angel Ball at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on October 19, 2026, raising $3 million for blood cancer research. Co-founders Denise Rich and her daughters, Daniella Rich Kilstock and Ilona Rich Schachter, hosted the black-tie gala, which honored Lynda Carter, Nicola Verses, and Dionne Warwick.

Photo Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation

The honorees set the tone for the night. Carter, the singer, actress and philanthropist, was recognized for her advocacy for blood cancer research awareness; entrepreneur and philanthropist Verses was celebrated for her charitable work and lasting community impact; and Warwick, the six-time Grammy Award winner, needs no introduction. It’s a lineup that matches the honorees the Foundation announced in September.

Photo Credit: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation

Grammy and Tony Award-nominated Deborah Cox served as emcee and took the stage herself for Whitney Houston’s The Greatest Love of All. Taylor Dayne and multi-Grammy-winning reggae icon Shaggy followed with high-energy sets, before DJ M.O.S. and DJ Kiss pulled guests onto the dance floor. Kathy Hilton, who also served as Dinner Chair, and Dr. Stephen D. Nimer made special appearances.

Photo Credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation

The gala honors the memory of Denise’s daughter, Gabrielle Rich Aouad, who died of acute myelogenous leukemia at 27 — a story Rich has long carried into the Angel Ball. Since 1996, the Foundation has funded more than $47 million in grants for early-career scientists pursuing less toxic treatments for leukemia, lymphoma and related blood cancers.

The most moving moment of the night belonged to Kelly Leach, a New York City mom who spoke about grief, resilience and hope. Her late husband, Todd Day, died in October 2024 from complications related to treatment for secondary lymphoma; the couple had been pursuing fertility treatments, and Leach gave birth to their daughter, Chloé, nearly a year later. She now advocates for safer, less toxic cancer therapies.

Then came the money. Star Jones guided the room through a paddle raise that brought in more than $340,000, with donors of $1,000 or more taking home Corazon de Fer canvases and those giving $10,000 or more receiving original heart sculptures by artist Fer Da Silva. Seth Herzog, resident comedian on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, led the live auction.

Photo Credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation

The lots were pure luxury: a journey through Peru’s most extraordinary destinations from Belmond; jewelry from Lorraine Schwartz, also a Gala Chair and sponsor; an all-inclusive stay for four in two private bungalows at Four Seasons Naviva in Mexico; and seven days at the Lucia Magnani Health Clinic in Italy.

The guest list read like a New York society page: Alec and Hilaria Baldwin, Carol Alt, Erin Lichy, Melissa and Joe Gorga, Sandra Lee, Tiki Barber, Harvey Spevak, Isaac Boots, Simone I. Smith, Peter Thomas Roth, Charlie Walk and Laura Geller among them. Guests left with Fabletics gift bags filled with Valmont, Peter Thomas Roth, Grande Cosmetics and more.

Photo Credit: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Gabrielle's Angel Foundation

Sponsors included Lorraine Schwartz, L’AGENCE, Valmont and Four Seasons Naviva, with Armand de Brignac, Hunky Dory by Kathy Hilton, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, LALO Tequila and Rumor Rose pouring. Elizabeth Elting served as Honorary Chair, with Skye Hankey, Tina Knowles, Ofira Sandberg, Lorraine Schwartz and Simone I. Smith as Gala Chairs. Haute Living was proud to serve as media partner.

Three million dollars in a single night is the same benchmark the Foundation hit at last year’s 27th Angel Ball — proof that Rich’s room still shows up. The bidding isn’t over: the online auction, featuring a table for four at Rao’s, a Bryan Adams meet-and-greet and villa retreats at Albany in the Bahamas, The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach and Round Hill in Jamaica, runs through October 22 at charitybuzz.com/gabrielles.