Karmanos Cancer Institute's Partners to host 22nd Annual Partners Night Oct. 1

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Sep 17, 2015, 07:05 ET

DETROIT, Sept. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday, Oct. 1, a group of hands-on philanthropists known as the Partners Committee will host the 22nd Annual Partners Night for the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, raising critical funds to support cancer research. Partners Night will be held at Detroit's Russell Industrial Center and will feature a Detroit-style fashion show presented by Somerset Collection, a strolling cocktail reception, street style edibles, club-style seating, an exciting raffle, live auction and live entertainment. Honorary Chairs for this year's Partners Events are Jennifer and Brian Hermelin.

Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Michigan.

"Jennifer and I are thrilled to serve as honorary chairs for this year's Partners," 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. Karmanos' physicians and scientists are relentless in their pursuit to find new targeted therapies that can result in better outcomes for cancer patients. Please join us for this year's exciting Partners Night and help support the life-saving work going on at Karmanos."

Nathan Forbes, managing partner of The Forbes Company, will emcee the evening's festivities. The fashion show, presented by Somerset Collection, will feature the hottest looks in Detroit-style fashion for fall and winter 2015. Other event highlights include a raffle for a chance to win a $5,000 Somerset Collection gift card, live entertainment, dancing, and an exciting live auction. Some of the live auction items generously donated by Quicken Loans include: a 2015 Hero World Challenge Pro-Am package; Dream Seats package for four to the Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears Oct.18 game; and a 2016 Masters package. A Fontainebleau Miami Beach experience package is generously donated by Gallagher-Kaiser Corporation and Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel.

The two-part Partners Events kicked off with Partners Golf Classic on Aug. 31 at Franklin Hills Country Club. More than 200 golfers enjoyed a beautiful day of golf, complete with an 18-hole competitive scramble, barbeque dinner on the patio and remarks from Institute leaders and supporters. Awards were presented to the lowest scoring teams in three divisions. Winners of the Mixed Division were Bob Skandalaris, Jim Stoll, Stacy Stoll and Drew Warder; Men's Division winners were David Bartnick, Matt Bartnick, Kevin Furlong and Marty Peck; and Pro-Am Division winners were Casey Baker, Derek Bildstein, Joe Portfilio and Carl Rose.

For the past 21 years, the Partners Committee has given their time, talent and resources to raise awareness and engage the community to help support cutting-edge cancer research at the Karmanos Cancer Institute. Since the committee began, Partners Events have raised nearly $14.5 million to support Karmanos' exceptional state-of-the science cancer research.

"Partners Night continues to be one of the most fun and innovative events in our region and this year is no exception," said Nick Karmanos, senior vice president, Institutional Relations, Karmanos Cancer Institute. "We're grateful for the support of this year's Honorary Chairs, Jennifer and Brian Hermelin, and our entire Partners Committee who have an exciting evening planned. I encourage everyone to secure their registration for Partners Night. Your participation and financial support helps Karmanos continue to advance cancer research, benefitting cancer patients now and for years to come. Thank you in advance for your support."

Partners Night will take place Thursday, Oct. 1, at Russell Industrial Center located at 1600 Clay St., in Detroit. Benefactor tickets are $250 each; Friend tickets are $175 each. Pre-registration is required. To secure your reservation, inquire about sponsorship opportunities or to learn more, call 313-576-8108, email [email protected] or visit www.karmanos.org/partners. mailto:

22nd Annual 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.

The 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, Jessica Saputo, 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.

For the past 21 years, 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.

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 Karmanos Cancer Institute