The Inaugural Manhattan
Children's Cancer Fund Benefit Networking Social

Children's Cancer Fund Social

The idea for the Inaugural Manhattan Children's Cancer Fund Benefit Networking Social event came about at a Long Island Starbucks one December evening in 2005 amongst three friends, Karan Johar, Adam Scher, and Pavan Bahl. They realized that they had been blessed with lives filled with health, education, and family, and decided that they wanted to give back some of their successes to humanity.

Karan and Adam are both presently completing their third year in medical school at Ross University, and Pavan currently works in Taxable Fixed Income at Merrill-Lynch, & Co. Feeling there was a need to address community issues it was decided that a social would be an appropriate avenue to gather young folks to support a greater cause. Karan has always been interested in studying to become an oncologist, while Adam has been interested in the field of pediatrics, and Pavan enjoys working with children in sports and as a mentor to adolescents interested in business. Karan, Adam, and Pavan decided that they would use their passion for the welfare of children and charity to promote awareness for children with cancer, and to raise money for medical research as well. After exploring different philanthropic organizations the decision was reached to help support the Children’s Cancer Fund. For the next 4 months, these young men worked diligently as the new "American Dream Team" to implement a fundraising event in Manhattan to raise money and awareness amongst professionals in the New York metropolitan area to directly benefit the Children's Cancer Fund.

The Social took place on a clear Saturday evening on the 8th of April at Katwalk NYC in the Fashion District. Arriving guests were greeted with smiles at the door by the hosts and provided with bright red rubber bracelets which read "ChildrensCancerFund.org." Possibly it was the influence of New York's Fashion District however nonetheless these bracelets quickly became the trendy accessory of the night. Entering the atrium patrons would look up to see a large white Children’s Cancer Fund banner hanging between the two-levels of the lounge providing a distinct bright contrast to the dimly lighted venue. Guests would have the option of finding seating and tables on their right or walking left to pass by a 25-foot silent auction booth and a table with sports memorabilia and table with a magic marker decorated 4-foot tall poster board providing information about the event and pamphlets about the Children's Cancer Fund. A dance floor nicely complimented the main floor and there for the daring there was another dance floor upstairs past the 'cat-walk' with a more intimate feel. The evening included plenty of music, lively choreographed dance by the professional 'Katwalk' dancers, exotic cocktails and unique festivities as silent auctions with sports memorabilia and restaurant dinner dates all held with the help of a professional auctioneering house. The three friends teamed-up with a some Manhattan restaurants, boutiques, apparel stores and entertainment venues to assemble an array of sponsors for the event that would be of interest to this young and vibrant crowd of over 500 attendees. After their stay, guests were thanked by hand-made gift bags made from SoHo inspired brown paper bags filled with candy, gourmet cracker samples, menus and business cards from the sponsors and sealed artistically with a large white sticker decorated with a show of thanks and appreciation for all the support.

All of the preparation set forth by Karan, Adam, and Pavan translated into a great success for the Children's Cancer Fund. Net proceeds from the event raised approximately three-thousand dollars to support children with cancer. Equally important, awareness was increased amongst the young professional community, the sponsoring businesses and the lives of the New York City community the making of this event touched.

The Manhattan Children's Cancer Fund Benefit Networking Social was an extreme success, and carrying on its new tradition is anticipated for years to come.

Picture above taken by Taryn Kraimer: [Left] Pavan Bahl, Adam Scher and Karan Johar [Right]