Starry Night Gala -- Celebrating 100 Years of the American Cancer Society

Hamilton Farm Golf Club in Gladstone, New Jersey, is the spectacular backdrop for this year’s Starry Night Gala benefiting the American Cancer Society. Now in its sixth year, the annual black tie event is being held on Saturday, May 11.

The festivities will commence at 6:00 PM with an elegant cocktail reception followed by a world-class gourmet dinner, and a live and silent auction. There will be live musical entertainment throughout the evening furnished by New Jersey’s favorite Oldies Group, “The Cameos,” and award-winning actor Tony Lo Bianco will be the Master of Ceremonies.

This year’s four honorees come from the worlds of business and medicine. They are Peter Cocoziello, President and CEO of Advance Realty; John F. X. Graham, Chairman and CEO of Fairview Insurance Agency Associates, Inc.; Ellen M. Early, MD and Steven W. Papish, MD, FACP, both with Regional Cancer Care Associates LLC of Morristown.

At the February 21st Starry Night Kick-Off Cocktail Reception, Peter Cocoziello introduced this year’s theme of cancer prevention and the goal of helping people choose to live a healthier lifestyle. He reinforced his feelings of personal commitment to the organization, and his desire to give back to the community through an organization that makes such a positive and significant difference in people’s lives.

Dr. Ellen Early added that she witnesses the important work of the American Cancer Society with her patients every day, and that there is nothing that would make her happier than if the American Cancer Society eradicated this dreaded disease, and forced her into early retirement.

“As we mark our 100th Anniversary this year, we also celebrate the thousands of birthdays we’ve helped make possible,” said Nancy Marino, Director of Distinguished Events. “More than half of all cancer deaths could be prevented by making healthy choices like not smoking, staying at a healthy weight, eating right, keeping active, and getting the correct screenings at the correct time. As we enter our second century, we want to help people fight cancer and fight getting cancer as well.”

All proceeds from the Starry Night Gala go to support the American Cancer Society’s mission of eliminating cancer as a major health concern. The event attracts close to 300 guests and has become one of the most highly anticipated social events of the year.

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: Advance Realty, Atlantic Health System, Avis Budget Charitable Foundation, Horizon Blue and Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, and KDC Solar LLC. Adams Addressing Associates, Inc. of East Hanover, NJ is the printing sponsor, Regional Cancer Care Associates LLC is the entertainment underwriter, and Madison Jaguar is the automotive underwriter. New Jersey Monthly Magazine and The Daily Record newspaper are the two media sponsors 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 in some way,” said Ms. Sellinger. “This Gala highlights the importance of the American Cancer Society, and its vital meaning to millions of people. We are very proud that our Starry Night Gala can be one of this year’s bright candles on the organization’s 100th Birthday cake, and that more than one and a half million people are also celebrating birthdays this year thanks to the work of the American Cancer Society.”

To purchase tickets to the Starry Night Gala and view the live and silent auction items online, visit the Starry Night Gala website. For additional information contact: Nancy Marino, Director of Distinguished Events, American Cancer Society (973) 285-8039, nancy.marino@cancer.org.

About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress, nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it, will celebrate more birthdays this year. As we mark our 100th birthday in 2013, we're determined to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nation’s largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Some Statistics about the American Cancer Society

• This year, the American Cancer Society is turning 100 years old.

• The organization has led the way in saving lives and creating more birthdays.

• Today, 2 out of 3 people diagnosed with cancer are surviving (for at least five years).

• More than 400 people a day in the US are celebrating birthdays that would have otherwise been lost to the disease.

• The American Cancer Society has contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the US since the early 1990s, a savings of nearly 1.2 million lives.

• The American Cancer Society has played a role in nearly every cancer research breakthrough in recent history.

• Each year, the organization helps cancer patients everywhere get the help they need when they need it.

• Last year alone the American Cancer Society assisted more than a million people who called for help, providing free services like a place to stay while traveling for treatment, rides to treatment, emotional support, and much more.

• The work of the American Cancer Society has helped lead to a 50 percent drop in smoking since the 1960s, which has contributed to a drop in overall lung cancer death rates.