BECKSTRAND CANCER FOUNDATION RAISES $1.3 MILLION FOR CANCER PATIENTS AT MOULIN ROUGE-THEMED DIAMOND & PEARL BALL 2011
Sold Out Crowd Gives Big with Help of Presenting Sponsor Lugano Diamonds, Honoree Fran Drescher, National Spokesperson and CSI: Miami Bombshell Eva La Rue, and Gala Chair Renetta Caya
NEWPORT BEACH, California (October 25, 2011) – Beckstrand Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving and enhancing quality of life for cancer patients and their families, today announced that it raised $1.3 million at its eighth annual Diamond & Pearl Ball on Saturday, Oct. 22 at The Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach. The gala honored actress, advocate and cancer survivor, Fran Drescher, and highlighted the story of 20-year-old leukemia survivor and Beckstrand program recipient, Nicole Shulz, who was first diagnosed at the age of 14. The fundraiser hosted a sold out crowd. "Each year, the need for Beckstrand's support in the cancer community grows and at The Diamond & Pearl Ball 2011, our donors really stepped up to the challenge put in front of them: To raise $1 million toward programs that support this growing need," shared Lil Spitzer, Executive Director of Beckstrand Cancer Foundation. "Our guests are extraordinary people who have joined our Beckstrand Family because they recognize the role they are meant to play in this cancer fight. Specifically, our Gala Chair Renetta Caya and her husband Blaine have really exemplified the giving spirit of the event and they put their whole hearts into it, assembling underwriting, sponsoring multiple tables, contributing to our live auction and helping to raise awareness within the community. We are privileged to count them as close friends and ardent supporters, along with our National Spokesperson Eva La Rue who over the past year has demonstrated her commitment on every level. She has visited patients, delivered gifts, run our 5K, introduced her friends, participated in our PSA campaign…She gives her time, her energy, her talent, and funds, and asks for nothing in return."
Moulin Rouge Theme Offers Fun, Food & Helps Raise Funds for Patients in Need>br? Known for its one-of-a-kind auction items, The Diamond & Pearl Ball 2011 featured an Opportunity Drawing by Fashion Island – a $2,500 shopping spree won by Tami Kahn – and an impressive list of live auction items from Lugano Diamonds, Eva La Rue, Jimmy Choo, Oday Shakar and Neiman Marcus Fashion Island, Honoree Fran Drescher, Aston Martin Newport Beach, Regina King, Meadowood Napa Valley, The Winery Restaurant, American Film Institute, The Los Angeles Dodgers, and more. Attendees of the black-tie event also enjoyed an elegant cocktail reception, dinner by Balboa Bay Club Executive Chef Josef Lageder, authentic Parisian music and entertainment by "burlesque" can-can dancers, and even a casino afterparty. Heartfelt speeches were given by the evening's honoree, Fran Drescher, as well as National Spokesperson Eva La Rue and Inspiration Speaker Nicole Schulz.
Beckstrand Cancer Foundation Raises $1.3 Million at The Diamond & Pearl Ball 2011
George and Eden O'Connell, Mike and Jan Salta, and Dave and Holly Wilson gave a combined $300,000 during the Fund-a-Need portion of the evening, followed by a $75,000 donation by Keith and Mara Murray, a $50,000 donation by Jeff and Holly Miller, and a $25,000 donation by William and Elisabetta Graff. Joe Cappuccio and Eva La Rue walked away with the "Lugano Diamonds in Tel Aviv" experience for $70,000; Mary Ellen Moschetti will enjoy a "Behind-the-Scenes with Fran Drescher" package for $40,000, and Patricia McNamara is headed to "Florence, Rome and The Holy City" for a special Vatican Tour for $30,000. Other live auction winners included Dave and Holly Wilson, Vinay and Elsa Jatwani, John Laura, Blaine and Renetta Caya, Michael and Tami Kahn, Ed and Christine Capparelli, Mike and Debi Bolen, Thomas and Catherine Hawkes, Keith and Sandy Watkins, and William and Elisabetta Graff.
"We're grateful that over the past several years incredible supporters like the O'Connells, Saltas, Wilsons and Murrays have chosen to give not only because The Diamond & Pearl Ball is their favorite event of the year, but because of the impact they know their support will have in the lives of our patient families," explained Spitzer. "They're passionate about making a difference and together we're achieving great things."
Each year, The Diamond & Pearl Ball represents a celebration of cancer survivorship and acts as a reminder for its attendees how much the local cancer community needs their help. Proceeds from the event are used by Beckstrand Cancer Foundation to provide cancer patients with advocacy and direct financial assistance with critical survival needs, such as rent/mortgage, utilities, food, transportation, medical insurance, copayments and prescriptions. Since 1974, the Foundation has been providing patients with support that enables them to remain focused on treatment and recovery. This year's Presenting Sponsor was Lugano Diamonds; Vehicle Sponsor was Aston Martin Newport Beach; and Opportunity Drawing Sponsor was Fashion Island. Auctioneer was Mark Schenfeld of Stokes Auction Group. Event Production by Kimberly DuBois and G-Force Productions; graphic design by Nien Studios; photography provided by Carla Rhea. Dinner Wine provided by Donati Family Vineyard; table favors courtesy of Lugano Diamonds and Emanuel Andren Gastronomy.
To learn more about Beckstrand Cancer Foundation and The Diamond & Pearl Ball, visit www.beckstrand.org, www.diamondandpearlball.com, or call 949.955.0099.
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