UPDATE: The inaugural Franca Fund Gala held in Doha has successfully raised $4 million for groundbreaking genomics research. Hosted by Sheikha Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Anna Wintour, the event pays tribute to the late Franca Sozzani, the influential Vogue Italia editor.
The gala, which took place on October 15, 2023, gathered luminaries from across the fashion world, including Queen Rania of Jordan, Miuccia Prada, and Gisele Bündchen. The funds raised will support vital medical research initiatives at Harvard Medical School and Mass General Brigham, with the aim to enhance preventive genomics.
“Our mission is clear: to revolutionize healthcare through preventive genomics,” Wintour stated, highlighting the urgency of the cause. “With potential cuts to U.S. medical research funding looming, tonight’s event is even more crucial.”
The evening featured an emotional keynote from Francesco Carrozzini, Sozzani’s son and co-founder of the Franca Sozzani Fund. He passionately emphasized the importance of genomics, stating, “Health, like creativity, should not be a privilege. Preventive genomics can save lives today.” Carrozzini’s tribute resonated deeply, as he shared his mother’s philosophy: “If it’s not strange, it’s not new. And if it’s not new, it won’t matter.”
Dr. Robert Green, a leading researcher at Harvard, underscored the significance of the event, revealing alarming statistics: nearly one in ten newborns carries genetic markers for diseases that can be treated if detected early. “Could Qatar become the first nation to offer sequencing to every child in the next two to three years?” he asked, sparking hope and excitement among attendees.
The gala’s silent auction generated significant funds, with standout items including a portrait of Sozzani by Damien Hirst that sold for $380,000 and a private tennis lesson with tennis star Jannik Sinner fetching $350,000.
Wintour also reflected on the fashion industry’s historical commitment to social causes, noting, “They always step up as a community.” The evening’s success not only honors Sozzani’s legacy but also aims to propel advancements in healthcare that could transform lives globally.
As the night concluded, Sheikha Mayassa reminisced about her connection with Sozzani, recalling their meeting at a Damien Hirst exhibition in 2013. “She taught us that beauty must reveal truth, not conceal it,” she stated, exemplifying the gala’s purpose.
With the funds raised, the Franca Sozzani Fund is poised to make significant strides in genomics research that could shape the future of healthcare, making this event a pivotal moment for both the fashion and medical communities.
Stay tuned for further updates as this developing story unfolds.
