New York City - On Thursday, April 14, The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) held its annual Hot Pink Party charity benefit at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. The affair, a cornerstone of the Foundation's fundraising efforts raised nearly $4.5 million to support critical research projects worldwide. Elizabeth Hurley reprised her role as Master of Ceremonies for the evening and the Roz and Les Goldstein Unsung Hero Award was presented by Andrea Redmond to Terry Savage.

A pink feathered entertainer. (Rob Rich)

As the premiere event underwriter, Mike's Hard Lemonade and the von Mandl family offered guests the opportunity to enter a drawing to win a winery tour trip to the Mission Hill Family Estate in British Columbia, considered "the gold standard of wineries" according to Condé Nast Traveler magazine. Pink lemons with guest's names were collected and Elizabeth Hurley conducted the drawing.

Deborah Norville from "Inside Edition" assisted Lydia Fenet from Christie's in engaging over 1,100 guests to participate in the live auction, which included the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar After Party, a Turks and Caicos Fantasy Getaway on Donna Karan's Estate, and the chance to sponsor "research time." Even Sir Elton John and Trudie Styler joined in on the excitement, waving their pink feather fans, to help fund an entire research project. This goal was surpassed, raising upwards of $425,000.

The evening ended with a lively concert performance by Sir Elton John and Sting to celebrate BCRF's efforts in supporting the work of 172 brilliant breast cancer researchers from 12 countries around the globe. Sting, who happened to be under the weather, showed no sign of illness and gave an outstanding performance. Before performing his final song, "Desert Rose," he invited the beautiful women in the room to join him on stage, adding more excitement to the evening's festivities.

Also in attendance to support the Foundation, actresses Kelly Rutherford (CW's "Gossip Girl"), Abigail Breslin ("Little Miss Sunshine," "Zombieland"), Brenda Song ("The Social Network," Disney's "The Suite Life on Deck"); actors Matthew Settle (CW's "Gossip Girl") and Vincent Piazza (HBO's "Boardwalk Empire"); musical director Paul Shaffer (Late Show with David Letterman); morning news co-anchor Rosanna Scotto (FOX's "Good Day New Yorkm); model Carolyn Murphy; fashion designers Donna Karan, Zac Posen and Christian Siriano; New York fixtures Hal Steinbrenner (Co-Chairman, New York Yankees), Jeff Zucker (most recently, President and CEO of NBC Universal), and Jonathan Tisch (Co-Owner New York Giants); and Miss USA Rima Fakih.