On Saturday, July 8th, 2023, Concern Foundation for Cancer Research successfully
produced its 48th Annual Block Party on the backlot of Paramount Studios in Hollywood featuring
multiple stages of live entertainment, casino-style games, live and silent auctions, and food, desserts, and
beverages from over 70 of Los Angeles’ best restaurants and caterers.
Themed this year as “THE LAND BEFORE TIME: THE EXTINCTION OF CANCER, the Foundation celebrated by honoring the Kallick Family with the Lifetime of Giving Award and saluting Cedars Sinai Cancer for their groundbreaking work focused on conquering cancer. Cedars Sinai Cancer was presented with a check for $50,000 to support their U-GROW program that helps to prepare the next generation of cancer research scientists. The sold-out event hosted over 3,500 guests, successfully raising $2,100,000 for cancer research through sponsorships, ticket sales, donations, and bids on auction items. In doing so, they were able to raise more than last year’s total when the foundation met their historic $2 Million milestone mark in raising funds for cancer research with this annual event alone. The successful event was led by the Concern office staff, a team of volunteers, and designed once again by John Ferdenzi of Town and Country Event Rentals.
The Kallick Family, in receiving their award stated, “We were humbled by the recognition. We were so
pleased to assist in raising funds for cancer research.”
2023 marked Concern’s 48th Annual Block Party and since its inception, Concern has raised over $74
Million in salary support for over 1000 gifted cancer scientists studying cancer.
For the 17th year, Los Angeles Magazine has been Concern Foundation’s media partner and in their long lasting relationship, featuring their “The Best of LA 2023®” on Los Angeles Magazine’s Street at the block
party. Los Angeles magazine has donated $365,000 to date in support of cancer research.
The backlot streets were filled with plenty of musical and interactive entertainment on multiple stages
featuring the Tom Nolan Band, D’ City Sound & Events, and the Vibrato Grill Jazz stage. Guests enjoyed foods and beverages from over 70 vendors including notable classics such as Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill
Jazz, 1212 Santa Monica, A.O.C, APB, Bar Hayama, Beam Suntory, The Breakfast Club, Brique French
Toastery, Cafe Dulce, California Sushi Academy, Casa Azul, Casablanca Restaurant and Catering, Casita
Restaurant and Bar, Don Francisco Coffee, Dulan’s Soul Food, Emporium Thai, Factor’s Famous Deli, Farm
Fresh to You, Firefly, Fogo de Chao, Fresh Brothers, GourMel Catering, Gyu Kaku Japanese BBQ, H&H
Brazilian Steakhouse, Just Jan’s, La Boheme, LAVO Ristorante, Leona’s Sushi House, Maria’s Italian
Kitchen, Miracle Noodle, Niku Nashi Vegan Sushi, Nobu Malibu, Pink’s Famous Hot Dogs, Pitchoun!, Porta
Via, Someone’s in the Kitchen (SITK), STK, Tao, The Gourmandise School, The Grill on The Alley, The
Hideaway, The Highlight Room, The Village, This Messy Table LA, Vibrato Grill Jazz, West & Co., Asahi,
Boisset Collection of Wines, Common Space Brewery, Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, Duba Tea, Dulce
Vida Tequila, Empress Gin, The Glenrothes, HEAVENSAKE, HOP WTR, Milagro Tequila, Mountain Valley
Spring Water, Nobu LA, Nuda Tequila, Pasquini Espresso Co., ROAR Organics, Robeks, Shake N’ Teas,
Simply Mixology, Skye Spirits and Imported Wines, Tequila Cabal, The Beverly High Rye, Tito’s Handmade
Vodka, Weaver’s Coffee & Tea, Bertha Mae’s Brownie Co., Buzz Bar, Cremily Authentic French Frozen
Yogurt, DeLuscious Cookies & Milk, East Side Cheesecakes, La Conversation Bakery, Little Secrets
Chocolates, Mamala’s Mandel Bread, Marsatta Chocolate, Melona, Mochidoki, Mychal’s Bakery & Coffee,
and The Toffee Twins.
In addition, notable corporate sponsors included: AV Masters, Global Travel Collection, Hirsch Family
Foundation, Natural History Museum, Nouhaus, Paramount Pictures Studios, Princess Cruises, SnapIt
Studio, Town and Country Distinctive Event Rentals & Services, Yamaava’ Resort & Casino, and The Zacuto Group.
More information on Concern Foundation:
CONCERN is an appropriate acronym (CONquer canCER Now) for one of Los Angeles’s best-known and
most beloved charities. Since its inception in 1968, CONCERN Foundation, which is dedicated to raising
and granting funds to support cancer research worldwide, has broken local ground in many
ways: pioneering support of cancer research (specifically in funding young scientists); using the force of
celebrity to raise funds; encouraging restaurants and then caterers to share center stage with celebrities
to raise money; pioneering the “block party” fundraiser concept. This non-profit organization’s
fundraising milestones also chronicle a rich era in the entertainment-oriented social history of Los Angeles.
Concern Foundation’s mission is to conquer cancer by providing essential funds to support the early yet
critical stages of discovery. To date, Concern has raised and awarded over $74 million to more than
1000 gifted cancer scientists around the world.
For 55 years, Concern has pioneered the advancement of cancer immunology—the study of the
relationship between the immune system and cancer—a field that is now widely acknowledged to hold
the most potential for discovering treatments and preventions for cancer.
With 90-95% of net proceeds going directly to research, Concern Foundation has made significant strides
toward bridging a major gap in research funding by focusing its grants on young, innovative researchers
with breakthrough ideas.
For more information about the 2023 Block Party and the Concern Foundation, please
visit www.concernfoundation.or
