Cancer support for the whole
family, the whole time was the overarching theme at
the fifth annual Gilda’s Club Worldwide Benefit
Gala held Thursday, May 15 in New York City at
Cipriani 42nd Street. Attended by 436
friends and supporters and special guest Lance
Armstrong, the event raised more than $1.9 million
dollars for the cancer support organization.
Emceed by Elvis Duran from New York’s Z100, the
black tie dinner honored Mort Topfer, a co-founder
and managing director of Castletop Capital in
Austin, Texas, and the Lexus Corporation for their
generous donations to help raise awareness of the
importance of cancer support for everyone touched by
cancer. In addition, Mr. Topfer was recognized
specifically for his contributions to help extend
the reach of the Gilda’s Club Worldwide network
through the development of The Living Room, an
exciting new online venture launching later this
year.
Giving a touching toast to his long-time friend,
Lance Armstrong commented on Mr. Topfer’s commitment
and contributions to health and human services, the
arts, and educational initiatives.
The
evening’s festivities featured performances by
Rosie’s Broadway Kids and classical recording
artist, Michael Amante, as well as a live auction
conducted by Hugh Hildesley, Executive Vice
President of Sotheby’s. Auction packages included
front row tickets and backstage passes the Z-100
Jingle Ball, a “South American Soiree” to Argentina,
a trip to Napa Valley that included dinner at French
Laundry and an instant wine cellar, a New York
package with a private dress fitting by Carmen Marc
Valvo, and a first-class trip to France that
included tours of some of the most famous and
exclusive vineyards in the world combined with a
Christian Dior shopping spree.
Additionally, proceeds from the “raise the paddle”
portion of the evening were generously matched by
founding Board Chair, Angelica Berrie.
“Our
Gala success is a fitting tribute to the Gilda’s
Club mission by all of our trustees as well as the
hundreds of other supporters who turned out to
celebrate our successes, past, present, and future,
as well as the memory of our inspiration, Gilda
Radner,” said Gilda’s Club Worldwide CEO, Vivien
Hoexter.
About Gilda’s Clubs
Gilda’s Club Worldwide has clubhouses in 22 cities
throughout North America and 9 more properties in
development. Free to all members, Gilda’s Clubs are
warm, welcoming, home-like meeting places that
provide a planned program of emotional and social
support as a supplement to medical care. The
Gilda’s Club program is not only for the diagnosed
but also for children whose parent or loved one has
cancer, the entire extended family and caring
friends. Together, as a community, members learn to
LIVE with cancer whatever the outcome. To learn more
about Gilda’s Club or to find a clubhouse,
visit
www.gildaslub.org
or call 1-888-GILDA-4-U.