American Cancer Society – South Palm Beach Chapter Leadership Wishes a Happy New Year and Reminds of Upcoming Hope Gala

WEST PALM BEACH – The American Cancer Society – South Palm Beach Chapter Leadership takes the time to wish the Caribbean community a happy, healthy New Year. As we turn over a new leaf, it is a prime time to renew our commitment to taking care of ourselves and protecting ourselves as best we can from cancer. Jamie Lober, Public Relations Chairman asks that everyone reading get an annual physical and makes a special plea to the women to build a relationship with a gynecologist that they trust. “Women’s health is my passion and I want to be sure that every woman is empowered to find gynecologic cancer early when they can have the best outcome,” said Lober. While some work can be left to the healthcare provider, it seems you can do some searching of your own. “You need to pay attention to your body, know what is normal for you and report any abnormal vaginal bleeding or anything unusual that persists for more than two weeks to your gynecologist,” said Lober. There are many screenings available to you as well. “If I had to mention two things, it would be talking to your gynecologist about the HPV test and definitely get a regular Pap smear if you are over twenty-one,” said Lober. A test can only tell so much though. “You should know the Pap test does not screen for vaginal, vulvar, ovarian or uterine cancer, so you still need to pay attention,” said Lober.

In addition to staying in tune to your body, you should keep an eye on your social calendar and make sure you have marked down the American Cancer Society’s Hope Gala. This one of a kind event will take place on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Woodfield Country Club in Boca Raton. The American Cancer Society has chosen to celebrate their 100th birthday with an elegant sit-down dinner, entertainment and dancing and fabulous live and silent auctions. “Leadership has invested a lot of time, effort, energy and money to make this happen and we are anxious to watch the magical night unfold,” said Lober. Provided that the American Cancer Society’s slogan states that they are “the official sponsor of birthdays,” the night is sure to be one to remember. “Taking care of all logistics to ensure that the event goes smoothly is a dynamic duo: the trendy and innovative Angela Spera and dependable Nikko Capria who takes the gala from an idea to an actual happening,” said Lober. Proceeds from the gala will benefit R.O.C.K. (Reaching out to Cancer Kids) Camp, Florida’s first and only residential for children with cancer. “We want to make sure as many kids have this opportunity as possible because we recognize it is heartbreaking for them to deal with the pain, uncertainty and fear that can come along with childhood cancer and camp is a positive disruption to the cycle,” said Lober.

With less than two months remaining, Leadership finally secured the final pieces to the puzzle: event chair Mark Sunshine, Chairman and CEO and co-chair Mark Seigel, Chief Financial Officer of Veritas Financial Partners. “Sunshine’s skills and expertise include asset based lending, structured finance, factoring, private equity, commercial finance, portfolio management, due diligence, capital markets, mergers and investment banking and Seigel is a master of financial services as well,” said Lober. While Sunshine and Seigel have garnered great attention for their philanthropic endeavors over past years, they have also drawn praise for their knowledge. “A few noteworthy things about Sunshine are that he has contributed to Forbes Magazine, used to have a syndicated radio show, has been a contributor and frequent commentator on Fox and Fox Business and has appeared on CNN and CNBC,” said Lober. Through it all, she claims Sunshine remains humble and this is just another way he seeks to help others, by getting them on track financially. “He said in the world of talking heads and financial commentary that he considers himself a B- or C+ kind of draw which he feels is better than nothing but the truth is he is well-respected and a leader in every arena where he lands his feet,” said Lober. Seigel is a bird with the same feathers.

Since hopping on board with the American Cancer Society, Sunshine and Seigel seek to diversify the support base of the organization. “They feel we have a fairly traditional draw in the medical community and are hoping to branch us out by getting law firms and politicians to back our cause,” said Lober. It is important for as many people to participate as possible because everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer. “Sunshine and Seigel want to articulate that the American Cancer Society is a great organization that gives people hope for an opportunity to live longer, better lives through research and that they have always had a special place in their hearts and wallets for the most vulnerable children in our society,” said Lober.

Sunshine and Seigel hope that their generosity will be contagious particularly when it comes to the auctions and revenue enhancers. “Doreen Alrod is tirelessly working as our Creative Development Chair while Elissa Spiro focuses on obtaining the neatest auction items around and Stacey Silbiger takes on her role as our Sponsorship Chair like a second full-time job,” said Lober. It seems that everyone is contributing more than their fair share and enjoying it. “It is awesome that as volunteers we are saving lives as we fulfill our own,” said Lober. She insists that Leadership will be working day and night until they are down to the wire – if not longer. “Our mission does not end the night of the gala; we will take a day to rest and then hopefully everyone will join me in doing it all over again until we can finally say that cancer has been eliminated from the world,” said Lober.

Leadership stresses that it is not too late to get tickets or sponsorships. “Brenda Hilsberg, Table Host Chair is a very caring and classy woman who will be sure that you feel right at home at our gala whether you know everybody in attendance or just your spouse,” said Lober. Anyone who believes in getting well, staying well, finding cures and fighting back against cancer should come out to the spectacular Hope Gala. You can contact Ellen Vaughan, unit executive director at (561)-394-7751, x5308 or [email protected] if you have further questions about the event.