The American Cancer Society Hosts 5th Annual Starry Night Gala

Cedar Knolls, USA, 03/20/2012 / SubmitMyPR /

Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, New Jersey, is the spectacular backdrop for this year’s Starry Night Gala benefitting the American Cancer Society. Now in its fifth year, the annual black tie event is being held on Saturday, May 12.

The festivities will commence at 6 PM with an elegant cocktail reception followed by a world-class gourmet dinner, a live and silent auction, and two opportunities to win luxury items at a putting green challenge and a hole-in-one challenge on the magnificent Hamilton Farm fairway . There will be live musical entertainment throughout the evening, furnished by New Jersey’s favorite Oldies Group, “The Cameos.” Hollywood actor, Sirius XM disc jockey and funnyman Jay Thomas, will be the Master of Ceremonies and auctioneer for the evening.

This year, the Starry Night Gala honors two distinguished surgeons from Morristown Medical Center who have devoted their careers to helping treat patients with cancer. Leah S. Gendler, MD, FACS, is a board certified surgeon specializing in benign and malignant breast disease. Brian S. Glatt, MD, FACS, is a board certified plastic surgeon who specializes in breast reconstruction surgery. The two doctors frequently confer on cases, and often work as a team, treating patients undergoing breast cancer surgery. Nominated by their own patients, the doctors are being recognized for their expertise, compassion and deep commitment to patient care.

At the February 29th Starry Night Kick-Off Cocktail Reception, Dr. Gendler remarked: “The American Cancer Society has been a partner in my practice every step of the way, helping my patients on their personal cancer journeys from the moment of diagnosis, through surgery, treatment, and recovery.”

Dr. Glatt added “we are so very honored and flattered to be recognized by this incredible organization. Both Dr. Gendler and I work on the front lines of this fight against cancer daily, and see the tangible benefits that our patients receive as a result of the efforts, supportive programs, and good work done by the American Cancer Society. I know we both look forward to helping make this year’s Starry Night Gala event the most successful one yet.”

The Starry Night Gala has become one of the most highly anticipated social events of the year. This year’s Gala is already on track to earn more than $300,000, with all proceeds going to support the American Cancer Society’s mission of eliminating cancer as a major health concern. The event will also include an opportunity for guests to contribute in memory of their loved ones by purchasing “Stars of Hope” candles. The lighted candles will flank the long and winding driveway of the Hamilton Farm Golf Club, and become a powerful visual reminder of what this fight is really all about.

Tickets to the Starry Night Gala start at $500, and Chairperson Barbara Ann Sellinger is optimistic that corporations, sponsors and individuals will prove even more generous than last year. Sponsorship continues to grow, with current sponsors including: Atlantic Health System, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, Avis Budget Charitable Foundation, Frank P. Diassi, Chairman, Unicorn HRO, Hal and Kathy Kamine, Creative Color Lithographers and Jack Daniels Motors. The Daily Record newspaper is the media sponsor for the Starry Night Gala event.

“Through my work with the Starry Night Gala, I have learned that we are all connected to the fight against cancer and survivorship in some way,” said Ms. Sellinger. “This Gala highlights the importance of the American Cancer Society, and its vital meaning to millions of people involved in the fight against cancer, and underscores what the organization really means when it calls itself ‘The official sponsor of birthdays.’ Starry Night is an opportunity to help others in every way that we can.”

To purchase tickets to the Starry Night Gala and view the live and silent auction items online visit: http://gala.acsevents.org/starrynightgalaNJ. For additional information contact: Nancy Marino, Director of Distinguished Events, American Cancer Society T. (973) 285-8039, [email protected].

About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well by preventing cancer or detecting it early; helping people get well by being there for them during and after a cancer diagnosis; by finding cures through investment in groundbreaking discovery; and by fighting back by rallying lawmakers to pass laws to defeat cancer and by rallying communities worldwide to join the fight. As the nation’s largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, contributing about $3.4 billion, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more about us or to get help, call us any time, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Starry Night Gala Media Contact:
Karen Sperling
201-543-7421
[email protected]