The Prevent Cancer Foundation hosted its 18th annual spring gala on Friday night at the National Building Museum for 855 people. Despite a drop in individual contributions from sponsors, the gala exceeded its fund-raising goal with a total of 102 companies and patrons raising $1.3 million before the gala.
“Some of our high0-dollar sponsors have decreased their amount, but we have an influx of new sponsors who are supporting us at the $7,000 level, so we’ve gone over the $1.3 million mark this year including ticket sales,” said the organization’s senior director of special events, Linda Chastain. With the addition of 30 items up for online silent auction (ending today) and the on-site pledges, Chastain anticipates reaching the event’s goal of $1.4 million.
The organization partnered with David Tutera for the 11th year to design and decorate the museum for dinner. Tutera, who is a member of the foundation's board of directors and appears on WEtv’s My Fair Wedding, harnessed his celebrity and raised money by asking his 131,000-plus Facebook fans to donate at least $5 to the cause. Supporters were entered into a contest for various prizes, and the mini campaign raised more than $2,000.
The night’s theme was “Modern + Majestic = Switzerland,” intended to pay homage to the gala’s hosts, the Ambassador of Switzerland Manuel Sagar and his wife, Christine Sagar. Tutera used a blue, white, and silver color scheme to match the invitations.
After a welcoming reception, the program kicked off with dinner service from Occasions Caterers. The foundation presented the Honorable Michael Oxley with the Cancer Champion award for his work to raise awareness and funds for cancer prevention.
Prevent Cancer will use 84 cents from every dollar raised as a result of the event in the execution of its programs, particularly the George Washington University Mamm-a-Van, a mobile service that provides free mammograms to underserved communities in the area, as well as the Young Scientist Program.
