Hear from Capsule co-founder Nick Thorn about why next week's sale, which offers property from the estate of Geoffrey Beene, is personal for him.
Capsule’s upcoming sale, Fashion, Art, and Design is one of our most exciting to date. This time, it’s not just the lots that we’re enthusiastic about.
We are honored to collaborate with the Geoffrey Beene Foundation to auction items from the legendary fashion designer’s estate, including bespoke mannequins, fashion illustrations, and a decorative bench that once called Mr. Beene’s personal office its home. Proceeds from the sale of this property will benefit the Geoffrey Beene Foundation’s mission to support critical philanthropic causes, most notably the cancer research efforts being facilitated through the Geoffrey Beene Cancer Research Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Since its creation in 2006, the Geoffrey Beene Cancer Research Center has served as the nucleus for new research approaches in preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. Together, the Geoffrey Beene Foundation and Geoffrey Beene, LLC have been the sole funding sources for approximately 140 revolutionary research initiatives across all cancers to develop new treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients. The new research has resulted in major breakthroughs in multiple cancers, saving and prolonging thousands of lives.
The cause is personal for Nick Thorn, co-founder and managing partner of Capsule. In 2011, at the age of 38, he was diagnosed with head and neck cancer.
“It all began when I noticed a lump in my throat. I brought it up to my primary care doctor, who referred me to an ENT, who eventually took a biopsy. I was sitting in a restaurant with my dad when I got the call– that’s when I found out that it was cancer. That was especially hard news to wrap my head around, as my daughter was just 3 years old at the time.”
Nick found excellent care at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, where he was treated by Dr. David Pfister and Dr. Nancy Lee. “Fortunately it’s a well-understood form of cancer,” he explained. “I underwent some very effective, albeit very intense, treatment, which involved both radiation and chemotherapy. To say these treatments are physically and mentally taxing is an understatement, but I was lucky to have family and friends to support me.”
After six months of treatment and recovery, Nick was back on his feet. He has now been cancer-free for over a decade. “My experience with cancer was truly eye-opening– going through something like that makes you appreciate your life and everyone in it. Last year, my mother passed away from cancer. She had spent the last five years in remission, but there was an unusual resurgence that came on really strong and fast, and there was nothing that could be done.” Nick’s mother also received care at MSKCC. “Because of mine and my family’s experience, this cause is very important to me. This project has allowed me to combine my professional passion with an issue that is very close to me. I’m really excited to be involved in supporting such crucial research.”
