2008 Gala Gives Big Boost to Kids' Program

New York, NY — The winning bid on an exclusive Parrot Cay getaway? $10,500. Final tally for funds raised? Nearly $700,000. Value to the CancerCare for Kids program? Priceless.

Thanks to generous supporters like you, CancerCare's 2008 "Under the Sea" Gala, held on May 8 at Pier Sixty in New York City, broke a new fundraising record in support of our free services to children and families facing a cancer diagnosis.

More than 400 guests attended this enchanted evening "under the sea," which featured both silent and live auctions offering more than 300 lots of fine wines, luxury items, vacation packages, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences to top bidders.

CancerCare Board President Jack Gentile welcomes Project Runway's Tim Gunn.

CancerCare board member and Sotheby VP C. Hugh Hildesley reprised his role as auctioneer extraordinaire, enticing attendees to raise their paddles high for such delights as a private villa stay at the world's most exclusive resort, Parrot Cay, in the Turks and Caicos; a five-course dinner at Daniel Boulud's eponymous restaurant, Daniel; and a lunch and style consultation with celebrity stylist Tim Gunn, of Bravo Network's Project Runway. Mr. Gunn, who is also Chief Style Officer for Liz Claiborne Inc., joined us in person to present himself to the winning bidder (our own Trustee Marsha Palanci).

Board Trustee and CancerCare Past President Paul Friedman and his wife, Susan, were honored for their long-time commitment and selfless service to CancerCare.

A CancerCare Family: Statia Browne with sons Korey, Brandon, and David. Statia and Brandon are featured in the new CancerCare for Kids print ad.

Other high points included two families, the Camachos and the Brownes, who were the evening's special guests. Both families started coming to CancerCare in the past year after losing their fathers to cancer. Gala attendees watched a short video featuring mom Statia Browne, who talked about how CancerCare's social workers have helped her and her youngest son, Brandon, 11, cope with their loss. Then, 16-year-old Andrea Camacho and her siblings, Norman and Kimberly, took to the stage, where Andrea shared her thanks for the counseling and activities her family has benefited from through the CancerCare for Kids program.

Gala Committee Co-Chairs Ed and Fran Lukas with Associate Chairs Daniel and Heather Glatter.

Attendees were treated to the exquisite cuisine of celebrated chef Alison Awerbuch, along with sumptuous wines and champagnes from some of the world's finest vineyards and champagne houses. Gala Committee Co-chairs Ed and Fran Lukas and Associate Chairs Dan and Heather Glatter kept the program running smoothly.

Generous individual and corporate sponsors included Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.; B.R. Cohn Winery; Liz Claiborne Inc.; a special gift in honor of Helen R. Palanci; Pfizer Oncology; Southern Wine and Spirits of America, Inc.; Mark and Laureen Lauber; Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP; Palm Bay International; Miranda Schiller; and UPS, among many others.

2008 Gala Honorees Paul and Susan Friedman.

The evening's proceeds will support the free, nationwide services of CancerCare for Kids which include one-on-one and family counseling, education, financial assistance, and therapeutic activities such as arts and crafts workshops and holiday parties for children and families affected by cancer.

For more information, please visit CancerCare's website and the CancerCare for Kids website, or call 1-800-813-HOPE (4673), and consider supporting a child who is facing a cancer diagnosis or who has a family member with cancer.

With deepest gratitude to our supporters, we say, thank you! and look forward to seeing you next year.

	To view more photos from the Gala and to order prints, please visit the online gallery and enter Event ID: Under the Sea
Daniel Cohn of B.R. Cohn Winery and Ashley Scott with Board Trustees Marsha Palanci and Ed Lauber.