At the 18th annual Angel’s Wish Gala on January 25, the Christina Renna Foundation (CRF) presented $41,700 to Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL). Driven by its goal to see a cancer-free world, CRF raises funds to combat rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the rare and often fatal pediatric cancer that claimed the life of Christina Renna nearly two decades ago. Since its founding, CRF has donated over $550,000 to CSHL, where this year’s honoree, Professor and Cancer Center Deputy Director Chris Vakoc, leads research on RMS and other pediatric cancers.
Philip Renna, CRF’s director and Christina’s father, spoke about the foundation’s impact. “You are the driving force keeping Christina’s wish alive,” he said. “Our efforts have already shed light and hope into the darkness that cancer brings.” Just last year, Vakoc’s lab uncovered a new drug target for RMS that may also apply to some of the most common forms of cancer.
Vakoc joined Renna at the podium as he reflected on the evening’s significance. “As we enter 2025 and celebrate our 18th Angel’s Wish Gala, I realized that Christina has been gone for longer than she was with us,” Renna said. “But her dream continues.”
Written by: Caroline Cosgrove, Community Engagement Manager | cosgrov@cshl.edu | 516-367-8844