Karmanos Cancer Institute's 22nd Annual Partners Events raise more than $800,000 for cancer research
DETROIT, Oct. 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- More than 700 supporters decked out in Detroit chic attire attended the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute's 22nd Annual Partners Night, bringing the total raised from this year's Partners Events to more than $800,000 to support the Institute's cancer research programs.
The event took place Oct. 1 at Russell Industrial Center in Detroit. Honorary Chairs for the event were Jennifer and Brian Hermelin.
"Jennifer and I were honored to serve as honorary chairs for this year's Partners and we were delighted to see the outstanding turnout and amazing support for such a worthy cause," said Brian Hermelin. "We have seen first-hand the commitment and dedication of the results-driven team at Karmanos and all they do to help cancer patients survive their disease. Thanks to all who supported this year's Partners Golf Classic and Partners Night, more patients will have a better chance to receive life-saving treatments, including new targeted therapies that can result in better outcomes."
Partners Night welcomed guests into a nightclub-style atmosphere with a strolling cocktail reception and entertainment by Jibs Brown. Interactive graffiti artist Antonio "Shades" Agee created a colorful Detroit mural and encouraged guests to add their own signature to the urban-inspired image promoting Detroit's resilience, grit and passion.
Following the cocktail reception, guests were led to club-style seating surrounding a fashion runway. The program kicked off with a welcome by emcee Nathan Forbes, managing partner of The Forbes Company, and included remarks from Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Karmanos Cancer Institute; honorary chairs Jennifer and Brian Hermelin; and President and Chief Marketing Officer of Quicken Loans, Jay Farner, who served as auctioneer.
The live auction garnered generous donations from the crowd as they bid on unique experience packages donated by Quicken Loans, Gallagher-Kaiser Corporation, Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel and Alexander's Custom Clothiers. One lucky guest took home the winning raffle ticket for a $5,000 Somerset Collection gift card.
Following the live auction, Forbes introduced the fashion show, presented by Somerset Collection, featuring the latest trends for fall and winter from designers including Hugo Boss, Michael Kors and Gucci. The fashion show completed with a lively performance by several dancers from Next Level Dance Company. The dancers, who wore special Nothing Stops Detroit™ t-shirts created especially for Karmanos and provided by Somerset Collection, electrified the audience with their high-energy dance moves to the tunes of DJ Captn20 as they invited guests to join them on the dance floor. T-shirts were also on sale following the fashion show with all proceeds supporting Karmanos Cancer Institute.
This is the 22nd year that the Partners Committee, a group of hands-on philanthropists, have shared their time, talent and resources to raise awareness and engage the community to help support cutting-edge cancer research at the Karmanos Cancer Institute through the Partners Events – Partners Golf Classic, which this year was held on Aug. 31; and Partners Night. Since the committee began, the Partners Events have raised more than $15 million to help advance cancer research.
"I'm proud of the incredible team we have at Karmanos and their relentless dedication to do everything possible to help end cancer," said Dr. Bepler. "We have made great progress in the cancer fight but so much more needs to be done. We're extremely grateful for the many generous friends who support our robust cancer research programs so that we can continue to advance cancer research and develop innovative therapies that can help cancer patients here and across the globe.
"Special thanks goes out to this year's Honorary Chairs, Jennifer and Brian Helmelin; our Corporate Sponsors Quicken Loans, The Forbes Company and Somerset Collection, and all of our wonderful sponsors; Eunice and Milton Ring whose family continues to carry out the vision of Harry and Anna Korman who established Partners 22 years ago; this year's Partners Committee, led by Executive Co-Chairs Jason Geisz and Adam Speck; and all those who support Karmanos in our mission to eradicate this disease."
2015 PARTNERS SPONSORS:
Corporate Partners are: Quicken Loans, The Forbes Company and Somerset Collection. Platinum Sponsors include: Cambridge Consulting Group; Credit Union ONE; Ferrantino Foundation; Marjorie S. Fisher Fund; Ford Motor Company Fund; The Hermelin Family Foundation & Jennifer and Brian Hermelin; Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP; Kenwal Steel Corp.; Elizabeth and Michael Kojaian; and Eunice and Milton Ring. Magazine Sponsors are Hour Detroit and Dbusiness Magazines. Radio Sponsor is News/Talk 760 WJR. Gold Sponsors include: Christine and John Giampetroni; Johnson Controls; Laura and Peter Karmanos, Ill; Julie and Nick Karmanos; and Christy and Jason Karmanos.
2015 PARTNERS COMMITTEE:
Executive Co-Chairs are Jason Geisz and Adam Speck. Partners Committee Members include: Tom Alongi, Sunny Connolly, Dan Cornwell, KC Crain, Ellyn Davidson, Ethan Davidson, Brian Eisenberg, Jay Farner, Scott Faulkner, David Fischer, Jr., Amanda Fisher, Brenda Guinan-Huddy, David Jacob, Nick Jallos, Nick Karmanos, Dino Kostopoulos, Cheryl Luckoff, Howard Luckoff, Sarah Mally, Christopher Mann, Sean A. Metrose, Michelle Mio, J.J. Modell, David Nicholson, Jason Pace, Carol Ritchie, Brett Schneider, Jill Schumacher, Craig Solgan and David Thewes.
HOW PARTNERS STARTED:
Karmanos Cancer Institute long-time supporters, Anna and Harry Korman, had the vision to begin Partners in memory of their late daughter, Suzanne, who died of cancer at the age of 36. The Kormans established the committee as a way to engage young people in raising money for cancer research, knowing that research would lead to advancements in treatment options and early detection methods.
This is the 22nd year that the Partners Committee has continued the Kormans' legacy. The Partners are united in the fight against cancer and are dedicated to solely raising funds for research at Karmanos Cancer Institute through the signature two-part fundraiser known as the Annual Partners Events.
For more information on Partners Events, visit www.karmanos.org/partners.
About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Located in mid-town Detroit, Michigan, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, a subsidiary of McLaren Health Care, is one of 45 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Karmanos is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 physicians and researchers on faculty at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. Its long-term partnership with the WSU School of Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care. Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., is the Institute's president and chief executive officer. For more information call 1-800-KARMANOS or go to www.karmanos.org.
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SOURCE Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
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