Attendees needed only "follow the yellow brick road" to get to this year's incarnation of The Gala for Life, the black-tie fundraiser for the University of Arkansas for Medical Science's Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute. It took place Sept. 6 in the Wally Allen Ballroom of Little Rock's Statehouse Convention Center under the watch of Dr. Kris and UAMS Chancellor Cam Patterson, honorary co-chairmen.
Helping set the event's Wizard of Oz-theme was a yellow-brick-road path that came up the stairs and wound around the ballroom lobby; a "fighting" apple tree; and several theme cocktails.
Chris May of KATV was master of ceremonies for the program, during which was discussed the institute's quest to become the first National Cancer Institute-designated center in the state. Interim institute director Dr. Laura Hutchins (complete with elegant black outfit and witch hat) gave welcoming remarks, extolled the virtues and accomplishments of the institute and recognized special guests. The Pattersons also shared remarks about legislative efforts to fund the center, along with its NCI designation effort -- a cause that will affect 3 million Arkansans, Cam Patterson pointed out, adding that no one would have to travel to get top cancer care if the goal is achieved. He also touched on the result of the search for a new institute director -- "the superstar that I asked for" -- Dr. Michael Birrer, former director of the O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at University of Alabama at Birmingham. Guests participated in a champagne toast to Birrer, Hutchins, and the road ahead for the institute.
Dinner, whose courses were named for phrases in the Wizard of Oz, culminated in a duo of filet with bordelaise and herb-roasted salmon.
Featured music act was the Emerald City Band, based in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The band wasted no time getting the crowd on the dance floor, performing a variety of hits from the 1960s to the present.
-- Story and photos by Helaine R. Williams
High Profile on 09/15/2019