(December 1, 2009–West Palm Beach)– Café Sapori in West Palm Beach was astir with the American Lung Association’s gala committee members who met to kickoff the organization’s 8th Annual Jewels of Life gala event – A Designer Showcase & Luncheon, a benefit to provide funds for a cure for lung cancer, and for cutting edge research and the life-impacting educational programs and services of the American Lung Association in Florida.

As an annual Jewels of Life highlight, the coveted 2010 Humanitarian Award will be presented to long time society leader and philanthropic legend, Hermé deWyman Miro, Founder and President of the International Society of Palm Beach.  

To the delight of the luncheon attendees, the American Lung Association announced that the organization is partnering with Saks Fifth Avenue Palm Beach, represented by General Manager Lori Berg.  Saks will again sponsor the event’s fashion show, which will feature an exciting presentation by Akris. 

The American Lung Association will host its annual fundraising luncheon on February 26, 2010 at Club Colette, Palm Beach, with Committee Chairs Gail Worth and Patsy & Leslie Spero leading the event with a sure hand and experienced leadership. The Junior Chair is Stephanie Klein; Faith Morford and Laura Sherman have undertaken the role of Auction Chairs. Douglas Drake will Chair the Gala Journal.

Grand Benefactor Michael C. Alexander, Honorary International Chair Hermé deWyman Miro, Honorary National Chairs, David and Rhoda Chase, Honorary Fashion Chair, Lois Pope, and Corporate Chair, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Media Sponsor, Vive Magazine, also lend their support to the event.

The American Lung Association is very grateful to its past chairs and contributors that generously lent their time, treasure, talents and commitment to the Jewels of Life Gala, making it one of ‘the must-do events’ of the season. This year’s Chairmen are determined to make a difference, raising funds and awareness for lung disease!

Luncheon attendees included Gala Chairs Leslie & Patsy Spero and Gail Worth, and committee members Michael C. Alexander, Alexis Bonner, Candide Booth, Courtney C. Brown, Ava Coleman, Hermé deWyman Miro, Douglas Drake, Marsha Fontanive, Michael Glazer, Ron Johnson, Stephanie Klein, Sharon Levinsohn, Faith Morford, Johanna Redmer, Barbara Rentschler, Wendy Roberts, Laura Sherman, Bobbi Shorr and Christine Tate; with Gail Kleinert from the American Lung Association.

A number of exclusive pre-event activities are being planned for gala sponsors and patrons and include an elegant evening reception at Kaufmann de Suisse hosted by Moneca Kaufmann, an exciting junior committee cocktail event at the Cosmo Salon & Spa, hosted by Cosmo DiShino, an eclectic gift-gathering champagne reception at DJT Fine Art Gallery hosted by Lee Gordon and David Ginn, a glamorous cocktail reception at Ritz Carlton’s new Eau Spa hosted by Brad Cance, General Manager of the hotel, and an afternoon of guilty pleasures is on schedule at the Daniella Ortiz Boutique, hosted by Daniella & Alfredo Ortiz.