By Gabriela Resto-Montero
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER EAST SIDE — R&B Superstar Mary J. Blige may have a whole new set of fans in the Upper East Side now.
Blige brought philanthropists out of their seats when she performed her hits "No More Drama" and "Just Fine" at the Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center Spring Ball on Tuesday night.
Event co-chair Tory Burch announced that the evening, which honored Dr. Charles Sawyer, a pioneer in targeted cancer therapies, raised $1.5 million for the hospital center, before announcing Blige to the stage.
"To have a talent like that combined with that of Dr. Sawyers is such a recipe for a special evening," Burch, who lost her own father to cancer, said.
Dr. Sawyer's work has helped make patients healthier without the side effects of chemotherapy.
Since the first Spring Ball three years ago, the society has raised over $4 million for the center's research.
"The good it does for helping people with cancer is fabulous," said Joanne Di Guardia, a Society board member for 25 years.
Head Sotheby's Auctioneer Jamie Niven led a dinner pledge drive that netted $250,000 from supporters, four of whom gave $50,000 each.
Close to 400 guests, including Rob and Marisol Thomas, Hoda Kotb and NBC President Jeff Zucker, enjoyed cocktails, dinner and a dance party at the ball.
Event Planner Bronson Van Wyck decked out The Pierre ballroom at 2 East 61st Street with a floating canopy of hand-made butterflies.
Guests dined on steak and chicken and left with Tory Burch signature goodie bags filled with lotions and makeup.
