To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation held its 29th signature Stepping Out Gala, featuring a theme of “New York, New York,” on Sept. 28. 400 guests filled San Rafael’s Marin Center Exhibit Hall, raising $560,000 for the foundation’s breast cancer grant program which funds Bay Area nonprofits providing critical services and financial assistance to underserved breast cancer patients.
Walking the runway of hope
The evening’s indisputable highlight was an inspirational runway fashion show featuring 29 local volunteer models, all of whom are prospering after breast cancer. The models were escorted to the runway by prominent physicians.
A memorable night of gourmet fare, smooth music and lively dancing
The evening started off with a vibrant cocktail reception and bidding on a range of silent auction items. When the dinner hour arrived, To Celebrate Life’s board president, Julia Wooding, offered a warm welcome to guests and sponsors, followed by a gourmet three-course dinner by McCalls Catering & Events. Guests also enjoyed a “Perry Sings Sinatra” vocal performance by Perry D’Andrea, live auction, a fund-a-need drive and dancing to Entourage The Band.
“We celebrated and honored a group of brave volunteer models at our Stepping Out gala who, after facing daunting challenges of a breast cancer diagnosis, are thriving today,” said Wooding. “We were inspired by their beauty, strength and resilience as they helped us raise funds to provide critical services for other breast cancer patients in our community.”
Easing the burden of breast health issues
Initially formed in 1996, To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation is a volunteer-run organization that awards grant funds to Bay Area nonprofit organizations who provide emergency and direct services to underserved women and men living with breast health issues. These services include financial assistance for rent and utilities, grocery vouchers and meal deliveries, navigation of the medical system, diagnostic testing and support groups. To learn more about To Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation and what it offers, please visit tocelebratelife.org.
Photos: Drew Altizer Photography
A freelance writer in Marin who writes about family, kids and parenting, Glass is the mother to one son, one dog and a hamster named Miss Geri. When she’s not writing, trekking up steep hills in Marin or driving her kid to sports practice, she and her family spend time in their tiny cabin in Lake Tahoe. She avidly supports the California Academy of Sciences, a world class science museum and research institution, and the Institute on Aging which provides much needed services to Bay Area seniors and disabled adults. Glass is obsessed with baking the perfect loaf of banana bread, something she makes so often she no longer needs to look at a recipe card.
