Events

The Breakthrough Ball

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The Children’s Cancer and Blood Foundation (CCBF) held its annual Breakthrough Ball on Tuesday evening, October 9, 2007 at the Pierre Hotel. Her Royal Highness Princess Ghida Talal (PDF), Chairperson of the King Hussein Cancer Center, was honored along with NFL great and NBC news/sports correspondent, Tiki Barber, who received the “CCBF Breakthrough Spirit Award” for his work on behalf of sickle cell disease. Actor and writer Charles Grodin served his second year as Master of Ceremonies and Jamie Niven, Vice Chairman of Sotheby’s, led the live auction.

The gala was a great success raising over $ 1.3 for research and treatment of childhood cancers and blood diseases. Once again, the Pierre was the perfect venue for a lovely evening that included special guest entertainer and Broadway star, Kelli O’Hara.

Foundation chairperson Les Lieberman said, “Our research and clinical staff are the best in the world, and we are on the cutting edge of developing cures and the best treatments for children suffering from a range of cancers and blood diseases. The money we have raised tonight will support these efforts; provide better, more enhanced treatments for our children and hopefully support the efforts to find cures for children’s cancers and serious blood disorders.

These funds also ensure that no child or family is left behind regardless of their ability to pay, and that is very important to all of us at CCBF. Our thanks to Charles Grodin, Tiki Barber and HRH Ghida Talal, and all the staff at the Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center.”

The black tie dinner dance included entertainment provided by The Starlight Orchestra featuring Valerie Romanoff. The live auction was also a huge success featuring some great items such as a limited edition, signed print by world famous artist, Richard Serra; dinner at the famous Rao’s restaurant with celebrity private eye Bo Dietel; a photo session by famed photographer Gilles Bensimon; dinner at home with Chef Michael Cetrulo of Scalini Fedeli; and a golf outing at six of the best and most exclusive golf courses in the Hamptons.