On Friday, November 10, 2023, the Jedi Rare Cancer Foundation and Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CC) co-sponsored a special wine tasting and kick-off fundraiser for CURE: The Rare Cancer Initiative in Cleveland, Ohio.  Shelley Taxel, sommelier and wine buyer at The Wine Spot in Cleveland Heights, curated 24 small-production, rare wines from unique winemakers. There was also a “wine pull” and VIP tasting before the party that featured rare bottles and back vintages. 

Held at the beautifully appointed BurkleHagen Photography Studio (1717 E. 36th St.) with food by Sophie La Gourmande, WINE FOR LIFE raised $50,000 for CURE and brought together the Taxel family’s deep ties to Cleveland and the family foundation’s support for Case CCC and CURE,  a major rare cancer research initiative that will help END rare cancer as we know it. Shelley’s husband, Ezra Taxel, was quoted in the Cleveland Press, announcing, “Our family foundation has committed to raising $5 million dollars in the next five years to support new research at the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and help change the way that rare cancers are treated.”