The Palm Beach Unit of the American Cancer Society held its 49th annual Cancer Ball at the Mar-a-Lago Club on the evening of Friday, February 2, 2007 raising over $2.2 million (a record for the Palm Beach gala) for patient services and treatment in Palm Beach County and cancer research.

Patrons and benefactors were feted at an early champagne reception were they were received by Honorary Chairwoman and Chairwoman Emeritus Dame Celia Lipton Farris, Chairman and Grand Platinum Benefactor, Patrick Park, Honorary Vice Chairwoman, Diana Ecclestone and Honored Guest Julie Andrews. Michele and Howard Kessler served as Advisory Chairmen and Platinum Benefactors. Norma and Simon Fireman served as Ambassadors of Hope, Florence and Lawrence DeGeorge, served as International Honorary Chairmen. Mrs. Gloira Wolosoff served as a Platinum Benefactor. Grand Benefactors for the event were Anne and George Lichtblau and Sydell Miller

Following the benefactors and patrons reception a lavish pre-ball cocktail hour was held on the grounds of Mar-a-Lago replete with a 40 plus piece orchestra surrounding the Club’s swimming pool. Russian caviar, Trump vodka and French Champagne flowed for guests.

Guest were seated for dinner and welcomed by American Cancer Society Palm Beach Unit Board Chairman Rob Reveley and then serenaded by the Masterworks Chorus of the Palm Beaches under the direction of Dr. Jack W. Jones. The Chorus performed three arrangements from “The Sound of Music” one of the film performances that made Ms. Andrews a screen and stage legend.

Following a welcome by American Cancer Society, Florida CEO, Don Webster, and an introduction and heartfelt welcome to Julie Andrews by her friend and fellow British actress, Dame Celia Lipton Farris, Ms. Andrews welcomed guests and also donated 60 of her recently released children’s book “The Great Mousical” which she co-authored with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. Books were purchased by guests and those funds raised will match a grant made by long time American Cancer Society – Town of Palm Beach Unit patron, the late Addison Hines which supports programs for children battling cancer in Palm Beach County. During the auction of the books Simon C. Fireman made a surprise $150,000 pledge to match the grant and as well.

The dinner menu, “A Taste of Palm Beach” include chilled vichyssoise soup, jumbo shrimp “Shannon” timbale, ravioli auChampagne, filet mignon, Austrian style with escalloped potatoes and tomato pea sleigh as an entrée and desserts of black and white layer cake with vanilla ice and Fairbanks petit fours. The menu was prepared by Palm Beach restaurants including Chez Jean Pierre, Café’ L’ Europe, Mar-a-Lago, Renato’s and Hamburger Heaven.

Chopard served as Corporate Benefactor for the Ball and provided a beautiful diamond watch which was the used as a grand chance prize drawing. Neiman-Marcus generously provided table scrumptious tins of sweets for all guests as they departed the Ball.

Amongst those on hand for the evening were Dick Robinson, Elizabeth and Jeff Bateman, Clo and Charles Cohen, Mary and Bob Montgomery, Julie and Rob Reveley and Ruth and Ed Hennessey.