About Gabrielle

Gabrielle Rich Aouad grew up in Switzerland where she graduated from Aiglon School. She graduated with honors from Oxford University in England, earning her B.A. in philosophy and modern languages. Fluent in five languages, Gabrielle was a champion skier, an expert in horseback riding and a skilled rock mountain climber.

In the summer of 1991, she moved to New York and joined the NYU intensive film program where she met her future husband, Philip Aouad. At the tender age of 23, she was diagnosed with advanced stage Hodgkin’s disease. Her strength and feistiness never failed through months of painful treatment.

Our Inspiration

Over two decades of funding

Helping to improve the efficacy of cancer treatments, reduce their toxicity and improve the quality of life of patients.

The Foundation funds innovative clinical or basic science research that will lead to novel therapeutic approaches that could replace, or be used in combination with existing effective therapies for patients with leukemia and lymphoma. Such therapeutic approaches could include alternative or complementary medicine.

More about what we do

Who We Fund

Gabrielle's Angel Foundation has awarded more than $39 million in research grants to the best and brightest scientists in America.

Our most recent grantees include: Dr. Xiaolei Su, Yale School of Medicine; Dr. Brent Ferrell, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Dr. Christopher Ott, Massachusetts General Hospital; Dr. Matthew Christopher, Washington University St. Louis; Dr. Paul Castillo, University of Florida; Dr. David Kurtz, Stanford University; Dr. Jaebok Choi, Washington University St. Louis.
Xiaolei Su
Xiaolei Su

Yale School of Medicine, 2022

Brent Ferrell
Brent Ferrell

Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 2022

Christopher Ott
Christopher Ott

Massachusetts General Hospital, 2022

Matthew Christopher
Matthew Christopher

Washington University St. Louis, 2022

Paul Castillo
Paul Castillo

University of Florida, 2022

David Kurtz
David Kurtz

Stanford University, 2022

Jaebok Choi
Jaebok Choi

Washington University St. Louis , 2022

Medical Advisory Board

Eduardo D. Bruera, MD
Eduardo D. Bruera, MD

The University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center

Michael A. Caligiuri, MD
Michael A. Caligiuri, MD

City of Hope National Medical Center

Curt I. Civin, MD
Curt I. Civin, MD

University of Maryland School of Medicine

John F. DiPersio, MD, PhD
John F. DiPersio, MD, PhD

Washington University School of Medicine

Jerome E. Groopman, MD
Jerome E. Groopman, MD

Harvard Institute of Medicine

Carl H. June, MD
Carl H. June, MD

University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine

Stephen D. Nimer, MD – Chairman
Stephen D. Nimer, MD – Chairman

Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center

Rainer Storb, MD
Rainer Storb, MD

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Cheryl L. Willman, MD
Cheryl L. Willman, MD

University of New Mexico Cancer Research & Treatment Center

Jeffrey D. White, MD
Jeffrey D. White, MD

Bethesda, Maryland

*Janet D. Rowley, M.D., D.Sc.
*Barrie R. Cassileth, Ph.D.

Events & News

Angel Ball 2022

Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research raised $2.8 million at Angel Ball hosted by co-founders, songwriter Denise Rich and her daughters Daniella Rich Kilstock and Ilona Rich Schachter. Angel Ball made its return to Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, after hosting a virtual event in 2020 and a Hamptons fundraiser in 2021. The star-studded event, known for its amazing live entertainment and celebrity participants, honors outstanding individuals who have made significant humanitarian and philanthropic contributions in support of cancer research. This year, the Angel Ball honored John Paulson - President, Paulson & Co. Inc. and Michael Vranos - Chief Executive Officer, Ellington Management Group, LLC. The evening’s honorary chairs were Marc J. Leder – Co-Chief Executive Officer, Sun Capital Partners, Inc., and Amy & Brian France.

Champions for Charity 12/1 - 12/3

Americana Manhasset Champions for Charity® holiday shopping benefit is December 1 – December 3, 2022. Help support our organization by doing your holiday shopping at participating Americana Manhasset and select Wheatley Plaza stores during these three days, when 25% of your designated full-price, pre-tax purchases will be donated back to us! To register for your complimentary CHAMPION NUMBER or for more information, visit championsforcharity.org or visit the Americana Manhasset Concierge storefront location. When it’s time to make a purchase, simply present your CHAMPION NUMBER with any form of payment. Donations will be made on full-price merchandise only, subject to individual store policy. Your purchases are not automatically eligible. Your CHAMPION NUMBER is required to allocate your donation and must be presented at the time of each purchase. Donations on participating store gift certificates and special order merchandise are subject to individual store policy.

Announcing our Newest Class of Grantees

Our most recent grantees include: Dr. Xiaolei Su, Yale School of Medicine; Dr. Brent Ferrell, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Dr. Christopher Ott, Massachusetts General Hospital; Dr. Matthew Christopher, Washington University St. Louis; Dr. Paul Castillo, University of Florida; Dr. David Kurtz, Stanford University; Dr. Jaebok Choi, Washington University St. Louis *Mark Foundation for Cancer Research Fellows – these grants will be fully funded by the Mark Foundation In June, Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation’s Medical Advisory Board selected 16 talented early career scientists to receive funding for a total of $1.8M in grants! Awards ranged from $25,000 – $225,000. We are delighted to welcome these brilliant investigators to our Gabrielle’s Angels family! Stay tuned for spotlights on each grantee and their work throughout the rest of the year. ** Special thanks to The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research for their generous funding of Dr. Christopher Ott’s grant! As always, you can check out the incredible research breakthroughs from our current and past grantees on our website. Top row L to R: Dr. Miriam Kim, Washington University in St. Louis; Dr. Avery Posey; University of Pennsylvania; Dr. Santhosshi Narayanan, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Dr. Luisa Cimmino, University of Miami 2nd row L to R: Dr. Brent Ferrell, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Dr. Phuong Vo; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center; Dr. Matthew Christopher, Washington University St. Louis; Dr. Jaebok Choi, Washington University St. Louis 3rd row L to R: Dr. Christopher Ott, Massachusetts General Hospital**; Dr. Xiaolei Su, Yale School of Medicine; Dr. David Kurtz, Stanford University; Dr. Paul Castillo, University of Florida 4th row: Dr. Min Jung Kim, University of Maryland, Baltimore; Dr. Gabriel Birrane; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Not pictured: Dr. Lei Tan; City of Hope

Instagram Instagram

Show your Mom some LOVE with this stunning artwork by artist @ferdasilva ! ❤️
Bid now - auction closing on @charitybuzz soon! (Link in stories to place your bid❗️) ✨
Gabrielle's Angel Foundation is so lucky to be the beneficiary of some truly fabulous events this year! Next up: the Viennese Opera Ball taking place on May 12th! Be sure to save the date and for more information, visit https://vienneseoperaball.com/ #vobny
Looking forward to the Aspen Snow Ball on Saturday and so grateful to be the beneficiary of this inaugural event! Take a look at this beautiful program via the link in our stories to see all of the incredible sponsors and auction items! Special thanks to @filmingthomas 
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@champagne_bollinger 
@chopard 
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@cordova.co
@aero
@casadelsoltequila 
@aspenluxuryrealestate
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@hendricksgin
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Fiscal responsibility

By the Numbers

We take the commitment of our donors seriously. By showing fiscal responsibility in program, administrative and fundraising costs, 88 cents of every dollar we raise directly funds the future leaders of cancer research.