By Joanne Davidson, Special to The Denver Post
Ooh, la la!
A taste of Paris came to the Denver Art Museum when the Great West Division of the American Cancer Society hosted its annual Champions of Hope Gala.
Moulin Rouge was the theme for the fourth edition of this cocktail party, dinner and dance that was also an occasion to salute Dick Monfort, owner and chief executive officer of the Colorado Rockies, for his support of the researchers who are dedicated to finding causes and cures for this insidious disease.
A $10 million gift from the Monfort Family Foundation helped build Children’s Hospital Colorado, where the oncology floor is named in memory of one of his cousins, Rick Wilson, who was 19 when he was diagnosed with leukemia and died within the year.
In addition, Monfort, a thryoid cancer survivor, served as master of ceremonies for another ACS fundraiser, the 2016 Cattle Baron’s Ball held in Greeley last September.Rachelle and Bill Goerke, both registered nurses, chaired Moulin Rouge and reminded guests that while research has changed the way we treat cancer, and improved the survival rates, federal funding has decreased steadily. Fortunately, they added, “The American Cancer Society has stepped up to fill the gaps.”
In the metro area, the ACS funds 17 grants, totaling $6.8 million, for cancer researchers at three University of Colorado campuses. Recipients include Joanna Arch at CU Boulder, Dr. Lauren Fishbein at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus and Jay R. Hesselberth at CU Denver.
Moulin Rouge began with a silent auction, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in Palettes, Kevin Taylor’s restaurant in the DAM.
Fox-31 personalities Chris Parente, who lost a nephew to leukemia and has a sister-in-law who is a breast cancer survivor, and Kathie J were the masters of ceremonies.
Doug Tisdale served as auctioneer, bringing in some big money for items like a Rockies Roadtrip, the opportunity to take in three games in three cities during the 2017 Major League Baseball season; a Las Vegas getaway; and a Viking River Cruise.
Monarch Casino was the presenting sponsor; Bruce and Nancy Deifik and Integrated Properties (he is the founder, president and chief executive officer) were the Platinum Sponsors.
The 380 attendees included state Sen. Nancy Todd; Dr. Traci Lyons, an assistant professor of medicine and breast cancer researcher at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; former Greeley City Manager Peter Morrell and his wife, Jean, the University of Northern Colorado’s dean of students emerita and board chair for the ACS’ Great West Division; CoBiz Financial’s CEO Steve Bangert and his wife, Shannon; Anschutz Medical Campus Chancellor Don Elliman; Heather Brecl and Susie Langford from Silver Sponsor LIV/Sotheby’s International Realty; Wayne Connell, founder of the Invisible Disabilities Association; philanthropist LaFawn Biddle; Ken and Maria Mendelsberg; Andrea Hyatt; Mandi Fleiner, a vice president with the ACS’ Great West Division; and Dr. Ned Calonge, president/CEO of the Colorado Trust.
Joanne Davidson: 303-809-1314, partiwriter@hotmail.com and @joannedavidson on Twitter
