The third annual Breast Cancer Gala Dinner, held at the Ritz-Carlton on October 16th and hosted by The Breast Cancer Foundation, was nothing short of a tremendous success. Over five hundred supporters attended the Gala on Saturday evening, in celebration of local Breast Cancer survivors and community awareness, raising over $100,000 CI towards local Breast Cancer initiatives.
“This year’s event was truly a great success.” Said Kim Lund, Director of the Breast Cancer Foundation. “We not only reached our fundraising goal, but have enabled partnerships with keen supporters, including The Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital, who have graciously agreed to be a Gala platinum sponsor for the next five years.”
The events of the evening kept everyone bustling. The Key note speech was presented by cancer survivor Barbara Padilla, opera luminary and ‘America’s Got Talent’ superstar, delivering touching and influential words of awareness and recovery, as well as a powerful live performance of opera classics, bringing tears of joy to much of the audience. The event also featured performances from Vivendi, and over eighty items in the ‘all for charity’ silent and live auction.
“The Gala was truly a celebration of survivors, with a strong message of hope.” Said James Bovell, Director of the Breast Cancer Foundation. “We have received tremendous support from local companies, families and inpiduals, who have all made such a difference through their contributions.”
All proceeds of the Gala will benefit breast cancer initiatives and programs in the Cayman Islands. It will provide financial assistance for cancer patients in need and support awareness groups working on further education and prevention.
In 2009, Kim Lund, James Bovell and John Broadbent established The Breast Cancer Foundation, which is the driving force behind the annual Breast Cancer Gala Dinner.
The Breast Cancer Gala was made possible due to generous sponsorships by RE/MAX Cayman Islands, Maples, Chrissie Tomlinson Memorial Hospital, Butterfield, CIREBA, Cayman First Insurance, EFG Bank, Scotiabank, First Caribbean Bank, CIBC Private Wealth Management, Cayman National Bank, H2Only, Water Authority. The event was designed and arranged by gala partners Celebrations and the Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman. Media Partners were Kiss FM, the Caymanian Compass and WestStar TV. The Breast Cancer Foundation would like to thank all local companies, who have provided auction items and services as well as all volunteers, who have given their time to make the event a success. A special thank you goes to Jonathan and Paula Tonge for sponsoring guest speaker and performer Barbara Padilla.