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American Cancer Society’s 54th Annual
Black and White Gala Reflects Mission
and Fight Reminiscent of Truman Capote’s Ball
Over 400 people packed the Grand Ballroom at The Mar-A-Lago
Club on Friday, February 3, 2012, to celebrate the living
and giving of the American Cancer Society at the 54th Annual
American Cancer Society Gala in Palm Beach. “The Black and
White Ball,” modeled after the famous event created by
Truman Capote in the 1960s.
The celebration was made possible by the
leadership of Julie and Rob Reveley, Patrick Park, Patty
Myura, Tom Quick and countless loyal donors from the Island
of Palm Beach community. The event showcased dramatic décor
to emphasize the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving
mission to find a cure for cancer and help those living with
the disease today.
Due to the hard work of the Palm Beach Chairmen, Board
Members and Volunteers, the American Cancer Society’s Island
of Palm Beach Unit has already raised more than $1.2 million
for the fight against cancer, while keeping administrative
expenses under 4% and fundraising expenses under 18%,
reinforcing the American Cancer Society’s strong commitment
to maintaining the lowest administrative costs and being
exemplary stewards of donors dollars.
Considered one of the highlights of the
Palm Beach social season, this year’s Gala was chaired by
the Reveleys, loyal supporters of the American Cancer
Society for the past two decades. From 2005-2009, Mr.
Reveley served as Chairman of the Board for the American
Cancer Society’s Island of Palm Bach Unit, raising millions
of dollars for the fight against cancer. In addition to
serving on the Board for more than 12 years, Mr. Reveley has
a strong personal commitment to the organization because he
is a cancer survivor himself.
“For 54 years the American Cancer Society has been raising
critical funds right here on Island of Palm Beach and
tonight we celebrate the incredible accomplishments this
organization has made in the fight against cancer,” noted
Rob Reveley at the podium. “As your chairmen, Julie and I
want to draw your attention to the fact that the American
Cancer Society is a serious custodian of every dollar
donated to its mission. Not only is the American Cancer
Society available to help cancer patients 24 hours a day 7
days a week but, aside from the U.S. government, it is still
the largest funder of cancer research. As we continue the
fight to find a cure for this disease that affects us all,
we want to thank everyone here with us in this room this
evening. We treasure all of you and your gifts.”
Upon arrival at the majestic estate, guests were greeted by
jazz trio Urban Gypsy. As guests made their way down the
grand staircase for the poolside reception, they enjoyed
dancing entertainment provided by Rum and Coffee from Miami,
professional performers donned in black and white for
the occasion.
“The ballroom was spectacular,” noted Tom Quick, chairman of
the board of trustees, who also served as emcee for the
evening‘s auction. The setting, created by Bruce Sutka,
revived the extravagant “Black and White Ball” made famous
by Truman Capote over five decades ago and included black
and white striped linens, black and white feathered plumes
and an elegant black and white stage. “The event’s cutting
edge vibe reinforced the strides the American Cancer Society
is making in the fight against cancer,” Quick explained.
A highlight of the evening was a live
auction featuring a watch donated from Tiffany & Co.,
modeled by Megan Hammerdinger. Over $100,000 was raised for
the American Cancer Society’s Reaching Out to Cancer Kids
Programs (R.O.C.K. Programs) during the night’s “Cash Call,”
which will support future R.O.C.K. Camps and R.O.C.K.
College Scholarships. After the auction, Megan was invited
to join the emcee on the stage.
Mr. Quick then revealed to the audience that Megan was not
just a model but has also survived leukemia. Megan attended
R.O.C.K. Camp for eight years, then became a camp counselor
and received a four-year college scholarship from the
American Cancer Society. She will graduate from Florida
Atlantic University in June, following her internship at St.
Mary’s Hospital where she is studying oncology social work.
“Megan is an incredible young woman,
whose story of triumph is the perfect example of how the
American Cancer Society helps children through the many
chapters of their cancer journey. She personifies the
mission of the American Cancer Society and continues to
inspire others,” noted Quick.
Following the auction, guests at the 54th Annual American
Cancer Society Gala danced until the wee hours to the tunes
of Soul Survivor.
Patrick Park once again served as
Honorary Chairmen of the Gala. Mr. Park has served as the
Honorary Chairman of the gala for ten consecutive years and
was General Chairman for the 2007 and 2008 Galas. In
addition, Mr. Park received the Dame Celia Lipton Farris
National Lifetime Achievement Award at last year’s Gala.
This exclusive award was first given to Dame Farris at The
Golden Anniversary Gala in 2008 in recognition of her
unyielding generosity to the American Cancer Society.
Patty Myura was Honorary Chairwoman of the event. Mrs. Myura
was Gala Chairman for 2009 and 2010 American Cancer Society
Galas. In addition, Mrs. Myura has been a long standing
Board Member for the American Cancer Society’s Island of
Palm Beach Unit, a dedicated leadership volunteer and a
faithful donor and supporter of the mission of
the organization.
The event’s list of loyal and generous
contributors included: Platinum Benefactors Patrick Park and
Donald Trump. Norma Fireman served as Ambassador of Hope.
The Distinguished Humanitarian for this year’s gala was once
again the Addison Hines Charitable Trust. The Grand
Corporate Benefactor was Tiffany & Co. Grand Patrons of the
Gala were Mr. and Mrs. Harold J. Baxter, Rhoda and David
Chase, Mary and Marvin Davidson, Mrs. Florence DeGeorge, Ms.
Lois Pope, Mr. M. Mac Schwebel, Dr. and Mrs. Irving Sherman
and Meredith and Barry Snader (the Isador Segall Trust).
Leading Benefactors of the 2012 event were Helaine and Eddy
Cantor, Mr. and Mrs. DeVos, Mrs. Harold Hassenfeld, Gerald
and Frances Gilberg, Ruth S. and Edward L. Hennessy, Jr.,
Herme de’ Wyman Miro, Kathryn and Leo Vecellio Jr.,
Benefactors were Helen Bernstein, Dr. Elizabeth Bowden, Mark
W. Cook, Mr. and Mrs. Peter A. Dupuis, Greta Faigen, Arlette
Gordon, Darlene and Stephen Grace, JM Rubin Foundation,
Helene and Stanley Karp, Howard and Michele Kessler, Mr.
Robert Nederlander and Mrs. Patricia Cook, Tom Quick, Mr.
and Mrs. Robert Reveley, Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Saltzman, Mr.
and Mrs. Donald Scott, Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Spero, and Paula
and Nikita Zukov. Patrons of the event were Mr. and Mrs.
Frederick Adler, Paula and Bob Butler, Mr. and Mrs. Robert
Garvy, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald R. Jordan, Jr., Mr. and Mrs.
Christopher Larmoyeux, Pat and Ed McLaughlin, Mrs. Sydell
Miller, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Miller, Ms. Carole Martin and
Ms. Cynthia Martin and Mr. and Mrs. K. Alexis Mersentes, Mr.
and Mrs. Ellis J. Parker, Mrs. Beverly Sommer, Corporate
Benefactors were, Braman Motorcars of Palm Beach, and
Gunster, and the Corporate Patron was Air Partner.
Proceeds raised through the Cancer Ball on Palm Beach, and
the support of these generous donors and underwriters,
further the organization’s mission to eliminate cancer as a
major health problem. The American Cancer Society combines
an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to
save lives and end suffering from cancer. We save lives by
helping people stay well through preventing cancer or
detecting it early; by helping people get well by being
there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by
finding cures through investment in ground breaking
discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to
pass laws to defeat cancer and rallying communities
worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest
non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing
about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into
what we do. In fact, 46 scientists funded by the American
Cancer Society have won the esteemed Nobel Prize for their
groundbreaking research – no other non-profit can state that
fact.
More information on the 54th Annual American Cancer Society
Gala is available by calling Victoria Peyton, Major Gifts
Development Officer or Mariagnes Murray, Assistant Executive
Director at the American Cancer Society, Island of Palm
Beach Unit, (561) 655-3449 or
victoria.peyton@cancer
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