Lombardi Women Celebrate Advances in the Fight Against Breast Cancer
Posted in Lombardi Stories | Tagged breast cancer research, Lombardi Women, philanthropy
(October 31, 2025) — At the 19th annual Lombardi Women event, more than 460 attendees gathered to celebrate the doctors, nurses, researchers, patients, survivors and supporters engaged in the fight against breast cancer and show their support for Georgetown University’s Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center in Washington, D.C.
“Tonight, we’re all cancer researchers,” said Louis Weiner, MD, Georgetown Lombardi director. “Tonight, we’re all taking care of cancer patients. And tonight, we’re going to do something about breast cancer. So thank you for doing this.”
Guests at the October 16 event, held at The Ritz-Carlton in Tysons Corner, Virginia, socialized with Georgetown Lombardi doctors and researchers, BellRinger Fellows, Mrs. Virginia and “wine dudes” before a panel discussion and dinner.
In his opening remarks, Weiner announced that Claire Conley, PhD, assistant professor of oncology at Georgetown University School of Medicine and a member of the Cancer Prevention and Control Program at Georgetown Lombardi, had received the Davis-McDuffie Innovation in Breast Cancer Award. Created in honor of longtime Lombardi Women volunteers Janet Davis Brooks and Barbara McDuffie, the award identifies and supports early-career leaders in breast cancer research.
“Claire’s research centers on psychosocial issues around the entire cancer continuum, from prevention through end-of-life care,” Weiner said. “Her work focuses on three key areas: improving the quality of life and survivorship for women with breast cancer; advancing precision, prevention and early detection for those who are at higher risk; and reducing cancer-related health disparities.”
‘It is Devastating, But There is Hope’
Lesli Foster, WUSA9 news anchor, moderated the discussion with Claudine Isaacs, MD, professor of medicine and oncology at Georgetown University School of Medicine, and Blair Todd, recipient of the Spirit of Life Award, which recognizes exceptional individuals who have navigated the challenges of breast cancer while raising awareness of the disease in their communities.
“We know that all of us, everybody in this room, has been impacted by cancer in some way, shape or form,” Foster said. “It is devastating, but there is hope. And so I feel honored to stand here with all of you in support of Lombardi Women.”
Thanks to “the brave women who participated in clinical trials” years ago, outcomes for people diagnosed with breast cancer continue to improve, said Isaacs, who also serves as associate director for clinical research at Georgetown Lombardi.
“We have a number of new treatments, and what we’re really trying to do these days is try and figure out who needs which treatment,” Isaacs said. “So we’re really focused on improving outcomes for women with breast cancer at all stages, but also improving the journey and the experience.”
A Patient’s Perspective
Based on her family history of breast cancer, Todd sought genetic counselling at Georgetown Lombardi and learned that she had the BRCA2 gene, making her more susceptible to cancer. The discovery prompted Todd to start undergoing regular mammograms or breast MRIs in her 20s. When she was 31 years old, Todd was diagnosed with stage 1A breast cancer and had a mastectomy.
In 2021, Todd began suffering from back pain and contacted her orthopedist. Expecting to be told that she needed to strengthen her core muscles, Todd was shocked when an MRI revealed that she had cancer.
“I found out that the cancer had returned and it had spread,” Todd said. “I don’t think anybody expects to hear that news.”
Since her previous oncologist had retired, Todd started looking for a new doctor and found Isaacs, who encouraged her to participate in a clinical trial. “She really put me at such ease,” Todd said. “And sure enough, I enrolled in that clinical trial and have been very successful with that cancer reduction, so that’s great news.”
More Scenes From the Evening
Guests at this year’s event socialized with Georgetown Lombardi doctors and researchers, BellRinger Fellows, Mrs. Virginia and “wine dudes” before a panel discussion and dinner.
“Money raised at this event has done things like develop a new drug that can be used to mitigate, reduce the impact of toxic chemotherapy on the cognitive function, the brain function of women receiving chemotherapy for breast cancer,” said Louis Weiner, MD, director of Georgetown Lombardi.
Georgetown Lombardi member Claire Conley, PhD, was acknowledged during the event as the receipient of the Davis-McDuffie Innovation in Breast Cancer Award.
“Tonight is not just about raising funds,” said Jennifer Bognet, Lombardi Women co-chair. “It’s about raising hope.”
Medical oncologist Claudine Isaacs, MD, and Blair Todd, Spirit of Life awardee, spoke about their experiences in a panel discussion moderated by WUSA9 news anchor Lesli Foster.
Years before being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 31, Blair Todd, 2025 Spirit of Life Award recipient, had undergone genetic counseling at Georgetown Lombardi and learned that she had a genetic predisposition for the disease.
Lombardi Women co-chairs Meredith LaPier (left) and Jennifer Bognet recognized the “wine dudes” for raising more than $18,000 for Lombardi Women. They are pictured with Eric Marlowe of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, who received this year’s award for “Best Wine Dude.”