The 42nd Annual Long Beach Cancer League Gala took place on Saturday, June 3, at the beautiful Hotel Maya, overlooking the waterfront and the scenic downtown Long Beach skyline.  “Keep Reaching for the Stars” was the theme once again, and more than 320 guests were in attendance as a dozen distinguished individuals – our Gala “Stars” – were honored for their commitment to fighting cancer.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, honorees, donors, League members and Gala guests, more than $280,000 was raised to benefit the American Cancer Society.  Net proceeds exceeded the 2016 amount by nearly $45,000.

This year’s honorees, our 2017 Gala Stars, were a most impressive group.  The League honored treasured members and past members, two physicians and a nurse treating cancer patients, donors who consistently support the cause, and hopeful patients and family members who pray for a cure.  Their willingness to share their sometimes painful, but consistently inspiring, stories was essential in illustrating how far we’ve come in the fight against cancer, yet how far we still need to go. 

The 2017 Gala Stars included:

Dan Bellamy
Patti Brown
Craig Carter
Craig Dougherty
Karen Freeman
Zena Hatziris Gabriel, M.D.
The Honorable Don Knabe (ret.)
Georgianna Kolsky
Linda Lassers
Naomi Rainey-Pierson
Jan Rice
Nilesh Vora, M.D.

Sponsorships at all levels were again a large part of the Gala’s success, and League members extend sincere thanks those who supported the event so generously.  Our Cancer Challenge was tremendously gratifying, bringing in nearly $57,000 in the “raise the paddle” ask.

The Long Beach Cancer League expresses its sincere appreciation to all who supported its signature event and the American Cancer Society.  After more than 42 years, the League is proud to have contributed in excess of $11,000,000 toward the goal of finding a cure for cancer. Long Beach Cancer League members continue to imagine a world without cancer and keep “Reaching for the Stars!”

Mark your calendars for June 2, 2018 for our 43rd Annual Long Beach Cancer League Gala.  More details to come!