Paris Hilton and Kathy Hilton Host Pink Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research in Beverly Hills

Paris Hilton and Kathy Hilton joined fashion designer Stacey Bendet on October 16, 2026, to host a pink-themed fundraiser supporting breast cancer research in Beverly Hills, California. The event, titled “Shop Pink,” took place at the newly renovated alice + olivia boutique and benefited the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). Held during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the evening brought together fashion, entertainment, and philanthropy to raise awareness and support research into breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Photo: Depositphotos

The event also featured the debut of Kathy Hilton’s Hunky Dory cocktail collection and appearances by several prominent figures from the entertainment and fashion industries. Beyond the celebrity gathering, the fundraiser formed part of a month-long charitable campaign encouraging shoppers to contribute directly to breast cancer research.

Why Did Paris Hilton and Kathy Hilton Host a Breast Cancer Fundraiser?

For Paris Hilton and Kathy Hilton, supporting breast cancer research has a personal significance. Kathy Hilton’s mother and Paris Hilton’s grandmother, Kathleen Richards, died from breast cancer in 2002. Their family’s experience with the disease has given particular meaning to their participation in Breast Cancer Awareness Month initiatives. On October 16, the mother and daughter joined Stacey Bendet, founder and creative director of alice + olivia, to co-host the brand’s “Shop Pink” event.

The gathering brought attention to the ongoing work of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which supports scientific studies focused on understanding breast cancer and improving outcomes for patients. For the occasion, Paris Hilton wore a light pink mini-dress decorated with silver embroidery, complemented by a matching cardigan, pink gloves, and sparkling accessories.

Kathy Hilton coordinated with her daughter in a pink ensemble featuring a chiffon shawl and silver-sequined skirt, while Bendet wore a floor-length pink lace gown. The three hosts posed together throughout the evening, drawing attention to the campaign and its charitable purpose. Their involvement also demonstrated how personal experiences with cancer can motivate public figures to support medical research and patient advocacy.

What Is the Breast Cancer Research Foundation?

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research into breast cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship. Founded in 1993 by Evelyn H. Lauder, the organization has become one of the leading private funders of breast cancer research worldwide. BCRF supports researchers investigating the biological mechanisms of breast cancer, hereditary and environmental risk factors, new therapeutic approaches, treatment resistance, and metastatic disease. Its research portfolio also addresses important clinical questions, including how breast cancer develops, why certain tumors respond differently to treatment, and how long-term outcomes can be improved. Research funding is particularly important because breast cancer encompasses several biologically distinct diseases.

Hormone receptor-positive, HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancers differ in their molecular characteristics, treatment options, and clinical behavior. Advances in these areas have contributed to more individualized approaches to breast cancer care, including targeted therapy, endocrine therapy, antibody-drug conjugates, and immunotherapy for selected patients. Organizations such as BCRF help support the scientific investigations needed to develop and evaluate these treatments.

What Happened at the Beverly Hills “Shop Pink” Fundraiser?

The event took place at alice + olivia’s renovated Beverly Hills boutique, which was decorated with pink details in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Guests gathered for an evening featuring fashion, music, refreshments, and opportunities to support the brand’s partnership with BCRF. The event featured music from the Fuji Brothers, who played Paris Hilton’s song “Stars Are Blind” during her arrival. Guests were also introduced to Kathy Hilton’s Hunky Dory cocktail collection, which was featured as part of the evening’s celebrations. The gathering combined the unveiling of the renovated store with a charitable initiative intended to support scientific research.

Throughout the evening, attendees viewed the brand’s collections, participated in the event’s activities, and posed for photographs with the hosts. The pink-themed celebration was one of several events organized during October to raise awareness of breast cancer and encourage donations to research organizations.

Which Celebrities Attended the Breast Cancer Fundraiser?

The Beverly Hills event attracted several recognizable figures from television, music, fashion, and social media. Among the reported attendees were Ashlee Simpson and Evan Ross, who appeared alongside Paris Hilton, Kathy Hilton, and Stacey Bendet. Actress Jaime Pressly and Tallulah Willis also attended the gathering. Other guests included Pia Mia, AnnaLynne McCord, Sophia Culpo, Lexi Underwood, Adelaide Kane, Emma Kenney, and Tina Crai.

Their participation helped bring additional attention to the fundraiser through entertainment coverage, photographs, and social media. Celebrity involvement can provide charitable organizations with access to audiences who may not otherwise encounter information about scientific research or cancer prevention. However, the value of these events ultimately depends on whether public attention translates into meaningful support for research and patient care.

How Did the Alice + Olivia Campaign Raise Money for Breast Cancer Research?

The October 16 fundraiser was part of a broader collaboration between alice + olivia and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. The campaign ran throughout Breast Cancer Awareness Month, allowing customers to support research beyond the Beverly Hills event. Beginning October 1, the brand introduced limited-edition pink clothing as part of its charitable initiative. Under the campaign, 15% of net proceeds from selected limited-edition pink styles were designated to benefit BCRF.

The brand also featured two signature items, the Willa Blouse and Dollie Cardigan, with $20 from the sale of each designated for breast cancer research. Customers making donations to BCRF at participating alice + olivia boutiques or online during October were offered a 15% discount on purchases.

Another component of the campaign involved a specially customized Ford Bronco featuring alice + olivia’s storm floral print. The vehicle was scheduled to be auctioned later in October, with the auction intended to generate additional support for BCRF. Together, these initiatives created multiple opportunities for customers and supporters to contribute to breast cancer research. The total amount raised through the Beverly Hills event and the wider October retail campaign has not been publicly confirmed in the reviewed reports.

BCRF Announces $50 Million Gift During Breast Cancer Awareness Month

The Beverly Hills fundraiser took place on the same day as another major breast cancer research event in New York City. On October 16, 2026, the Breast Cancer Research Foundation held its annual Symposium and Awards Luncheon at the New York Hilton in Midtown Manhattan. The event recognized researchers and philanthropists contributing to advances in breast cancer science. One of the most significant announcements was a $50 million commitment from philanthropists Karen and Rob Hale, described by BCRF as the largest single gift ever made to breast cancer research.

The contribution is intended to support scientific collaboration and accelerate discoveries in breast cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. BCRF also recognized researcher Dr. Kornelia Polyak with the Jill Rose Award for Scientific Excellence. The scientific programme focused on early-onset breast cancer and how studying cancers diagnosed in younger women may contribute to better understanding and treatment of the disease across age groups. The New York event also featured former Bachelorette star Katie Thurston, who has publicly discussed her diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer. Thurston attended with her husband, comedian Jeff Arcuri, and participated in fundraising activities.

Although the New York symposium and Beverly Hills fundraiser were separate events, both demonstrated the range of approaches used to support breast cancer research, from scientific collaboration and major philanthropic donations to retail campaigns and celebrity engagement.

Why Does Breast Cancer Research Still Need Support?

Breast cancer remains one of the most frequently diagnosed malignancies worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2.3 million women were diagnosed with breast cancer globally in 2022, and about 670,000 died from the disease. Although advances in screening, molecular diagnostics, surgery, radiation therapy, and systemic treatments have improved outcomes, important challenges remain.

For patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, treatment often aims to achieve a cure and reduce the likelihood of recurrence. However, some cancers return after apparently successful initial treatment, while others are diagnosed at an advanced or metastatic stage. Metastatic breast cancer remains particularly challenging because treatment is generally directed toward controlling disease, extending survival, and maintaining quality of life rather than achieving a permanent cure.

Research is needed to better understand resistance to endocrine therapy, HER2-directed treatment, chemotherapy, and other systemic therapies. Scientists are also investigating methods to improve early detection, predict recurrence, reduce treatment toxicity, and identify patients most likely to benefit from specific interventions. Continued research investment helps address these questions and supports the development of more effective and individualized treatments.

Why Celebrity Involvement in Breast Cancer Awareness Matters

Public figures can play an important role in bringing medical research into mainstream conversations. When celebrities participate in fundraising initiatives, their involvement can introduce audiences to organizations, scientific programmes, and ways to support cancer research. Events such as “Shop Pink” can also encourage conversations about breast health, risk assessment, and the importance of appropriate screening.

However, awareness campaigns should be distinguished from evidence-based medical recommendations. Breast cancer screening decisions depend on factors including age, personal medical history, family history, genetic predisposition, and national guidelines. An awareness event cannot replace clinical evaluation, mammography, or other recommended examinations. It is equally important to distinguish public support for cancer research from a personal cancer diagnosis.  Paris Hilton and Kathy Hilton participated in the fundraiser as supporters of breast cancer research. The event was not an announcement that either had been diagnosed with cancer. Their participation reflects a family connection to the disease and a broader commitment to supporting research.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Why October Matters

October is internationally recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a period dedicated to education, prevention, early detection, patient support, and research fundraising. Campaigns organized throughout the month encourage people to learn about breast cancer risk factors, recognize potential symptoms, and discuss appropriate screening with healthcare professionals. The month also provides an opportunity to highlight the experiences of patients living with metastatic disease, breast cancer survivors, and individuals undergoing active treatment. Importantly, awareness must be accompanied by access to healthcare services, timely diagnosis, and effective treatment.

Research organizations, patient advocates, healthcare professionals, and charitable supporters all contribute to these goals through different activities. The alice + olivia “Shop Pink” initiative represents one example of how fashion and entertainment can participate in broader efforts to support breast cancer research.

Paris Hilton and Kathy Hilton’s Breast Cancer Fundraiser

The “Shop Pink” fundraiser was held on October 16, 2026, at alice + olivia’s newly renovated Beverly Hills boutique in California. The event was hosted by Paris Hilton, Kathy Hilton, and designer Stacey Bendet in support of the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Among the guests were Ashlee Simpson, Evan Ross, Jaime Pressly, Tallulah Willis, Pia Mia, and other entertainment and fashion personalities. The evening also featured Kathy Hilton’s Hunky Dory cocktail collection.

The event formed part of a month-long campaign involving limited-edition merchandise, donations, retail discounts, and a planned charity auction. The charitable initiative held additional personal significance for the Hilton family because Kathy Hilton’s mother and Paris Hilton’s grandmother, Kathleen Richards, died from breast cancer in 2002. The total amount raised at the Beverly Hills fundraiser has not been publicly disclosed.

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Photo: Depositphotos

Written by Aharon Tsaturyan, MD, Editor at OncoDaily Intelligence Unit