Cancer League of Colorado took another huge leap toward the future – to the day when a cure is discovered – by stepping back in time for its annual ball.
Past president Jane Mayberry chaired Hollywood 1940s: Black and White Ball, and although she sparkled in gold, an overwhelming majority of the 500 guests dressed in the theme colors to dine, dance and bid the night away. The proceeds are still being totaled but are said to be in the six figures.
While many things that worked in the past were retained – such as the tons of original art that local painters and sculptors donate to the silent auction – this year’s gala was buoyed by the success members had in reaching out to younger supporters.
There was, for example, a Teen Table and a Young Professionals Table, plus entertainment by Lannie Garrett, whose musical style appeals to all ages.
Cancer League’s snazzy new logo, designed by Mike Hamers of Lightspeed Commercial Arts, was unveiled, and the mother-daughter duo of Elaine Wolf and Sandy Wolf Yearick set a nice example for some of the other families in attendance by making the lead gift of $20,000 to Cancer League’s goal of raising $120,000 that night for research grant funding.
Auctioneer Gary Corbett was on his mark, getting Mort Marks to part with $7,000 in exchange for “Speaking From the Heart,” an acrylic by artist Carrie Fell; Corbett also raked in $6,000 for 12 tickets to the June 10 Police concert at the Pepsi Center and $4,000 for a mink coat donated by furrier Joe Hamilton.
When a downturn in business caused a previous raffle sponsor to take a pass on its donation this year, Dealin’ Doug Moreland stepped up and gave a 2007 Mitsubishi Spyder convertible for the grand prize. “As long as I’m around, you’ll always have a car,” he said to thunderous applause.
Like so many others who support this gala, Moreland has been touched by cancer. His sister died of cancer when she was 40, and one of his daughters beat it.
Gala-goers included CLC president Gayle Rogers with her husband, Don, and daughter, Kyndal; president-elect Barb Reece with husband, Gary; Cami and Dr. Paul Bunn, director of the University of Colorado Cancer Center; past president Doris and Frank Southworth; Kaye and Monty Music; Diane and Buzz Sweat; Eunice Romano; Lyn and Dr. Michael Schaffer; Jeanne and Evan McCollum; Toby and Dr. Stan Ginsburg; Pepi, Tim, Alyse, Nancy and Michael Howe; Rosalie and Alan Margolis; Tappy and Mike Scanlan; Dian Goldberg; Dr. Lawrence Spivak; Jana and Reza Akhazan; Wanda and Larry Fanning; Dody Teets Clark; Celeste and Jack Grynberg; Joyce Zeff; Tami and Michael Merfeld; and Nepeta and Gary Godec.
Society editor Joanne Davidson can be reached at 303-809-1314 or jdavidson@denverpost.com. She also contributes at denverpostbloghouse.com/Davidson.
