Last night, in a special evening honoring Adam Duritz of Counting Crows, Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine raised more than $1.2 million for the Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) — the country's first and leading nonprofit investor in medical research into scleroderma. Hosted by Jeff Ross, and co-chaired by SRF board members Susan Feniger and Regina Hall alongside Caroline Hirsch and Kelly Rizzo, the signature fundraising event featured some of the biggest names in comedy to support the SRF's mission, funding cutting-edge research programs and educational outreach. Adam Duritz received the Bob Saget Legacy Award, recognizing his steadfast support for scleroderma research and his commitment to continuing the legacy of late SRF Board Member Bob Saget.
The event was presented in partnership with the New York Comedy Festival (NYCF), the largest and longest-running annual comedy festival in the United States, taking place through November 16. Now in its 21st year, the festival was founded by Caroline Hirsch, owner of the iconic comedy club Carolines on Broadway, and long-time SRF collaborator.
Susan Feniger and Nikki Glaser presented Adam Duritz with the Bob Saget Legacy Award with Feniger sharing a touching story of how Adam’s music helped Bob through the loss of his sister and how he stepped in on a moment's notice to perform at a previous Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine event, while Glaser expressed her longtime admiration for the Counting Crows frontman.
"It's a terrible disease that isn't as well known as cancer, so it doesn't get the funding. But people still suffer horribly from it. Bob [Saget] was very devoted to making a change for people with scleroderma. He instilled in me a deep respect for this organization," said Adam Duritz.
"I started hosting this a few years ago, taking over for Bob. Bob cared about people; his sister had scleroderma. A lot of people here tonight have scleroderma. This is our way to keep Bob in the VIP section of heaven. Everybody gets together for the same cause. We laugh at the same things, we get fat together, we cry together, and we raise money to fight a horrible disease,” said Jeff Ross.
Some of the world's most talented performers generously donated their time to raise funds for the Scleroderma Research Foundation and to find a cure. After a dinner curated by Susan Feniger, the audience was treated to comedy sets by Emmy-nominated writer and stand-up comedian Hannibal Buress, rising comedy star Kelsey Cook, Grammy-nominated comedian and bestselling author Jim Gaffigan, and Golden Globe-nominated comedian and recent SNL host Nikki Glaser. The evening also featured special guest appearances by legendary journalist and television personality Katie Couric and surprise guest Matt Friend, who joined Jeff Ross on stage to deliver his signature celebrity impressions.
Katie Couric led the live auction alongside Billy Harris, creating an electric moment when she strummed a guitar donated by John Mayer. Among the evening's most poignant auction items was an emerald necklace designed by Bob Saget's daughter Lara.
"I'm so honored to be here as always. To be here to support the cause, fund research, and put the SRF out of business by finding a cure. This is the fourth event since Bob passed, and to be able to bring in some of his friends, people who looked up to him and loved him, has been really special," said Kelly Rizzo.
"Bob Saget was a mentor of mine in comedy. I'm so honored to be here because I know how much this cause meant to him. I really love being part of anything that's raising awareness and funds for research into diseases that need a cure," said Kelsey Cook.
Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine was founded in 1987 by Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF) founder Sharon Monsky and SRF board member Susan Feniger. Susan brought Caroline Hirsch into the fold from the very beginning. Caroline, who received the Bob Saget Legacy Award in 2023, has been instrumental in growing the event over the decades.
“We started the event back in the late ’80s, when we were working together in New York. It’s grown tremendously over the years — and then Bob Saget came in and helped turn the night into something even bigger. Now, all these years later, it’s incredible to see and continue the legacy and have it be a part of the festival,” said Caroline Hirsch.
Since 1987, Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine has been a cornerstone of the SRF's fundraising efforts, raising over $30 million to fund research aimed at finding a cure for scleroderma.
The SRF is the United States' leading nonprofit investor in scleroderma research. Scleroderma, often misdiagnosed, is a rare and often life-threatening autoimmune disease that can cause fibrosis in the skin and other vital organs. In the most severe cases, complications can damage the heart, lungs, and digestive system. The SRF funds and facilitates the most promising, highest-quality research aimed at improved therapies and, ultimately, a cure for scleroderma.
About Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF)
The Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF), a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1987 with a mission to fund and facilitate the most promising, highest-quality research aimed at new treatments and, ultimately, a cure for scleroderma. Led by a scientific advisory board composed of some of the most highly regarded scientists in the nation, the SRF’s research program actively seeks out the leading scientific minds from disparate fields, including autoimmunity, immunology, genetics, and fibrosis, to join the scleroderma research community. In addition to its core research program, the SRF has also led the formation of several large-scale projects aimed at accelerating scleroderma research, including the highly innovative CONQUEST platform clinical trial — a first of its kind in rare autoimmune diseases. The SRF is also dedicated to educating people living with scleroderma and their caregivers about how to best manage the challenges of the disease. Stay engaged with the SRF at srfcure.org and via social media: Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Julie Richter
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