Karmanos Cancer Institute's 34th Annual Dinner April 16 rolls out the red carpet for gala at Michigan Motion Picture Studios

Paula and Steve Kiefer Chair; Hank Winchester Emcees; Funds benefit cancer research

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Apr 06, 2016, 02:42 ET

DETROIT, April 6, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Join the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute as it celebrates its 34th Annual Dinner Saturday, April 16, at Michigan Motion Picture Studios in Pontiac, Mich. This year's Annual Dinner Chairs are Paula and Steve Kiefer. Steve Kiefer is vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain at General Motors. The event will raise critical funds to benefit cancer research at the world-renowned cancer center.

Join Karmanos Cancer Institute as it celebrates its 34th Annual Dinner Saturday, April 16, at Michigan Motion Picture Studios in Pontiac, Mich., to raise funds for cancer research. Annual Dinner Chairs are Paula and Steve Kiefer, vice president, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, General Motors. The black-tie event will roll out the red carpet to welcome guests to the motion picture studios. A cocktail reception, elegant seated dinner, brief program, entertainment, an exciting raffle and live auction are planned. WDIV Local 4's Consumer Investigator Hank Winchester will serve as emcee. Call 313-576-8108. - Photo credit Patricia A. Ellis

This is the sixth consecutive year that General Motors has been a major sponsor for this signature fundraiser, with a GM executive chairing the event. In addition, the GM Foundation has once again made a significant grant of $400,000 to also fund cancer research at Karmanos.

"Paula and I are honored to chair Karmanos' Annual Dinner, continuing GM's and Karmanos' successful collaboration and supporting those affected by cancer," said Kiefer. "This year's gala with its Hollywood-style theme is sure to be a show-stopper. Not only will it be an elegant affair, the event benefits the outstanding cancer research underway at Karmanos.

"GM is proud to help drive Karmanos' innovative cancer research as it develops the next standard of cancer treatments to help those here in metro Detroit and across the globe."

The 34th Annual Dinner black-tie event will include a cocktail reception, an elegant seated dinner, brief program, entertainment, an exciting raffle and live auction, and more. WDIV Local 4's Consumer Investigator Hank Winchester will serve as emcee.

"We are incredibly grateful for the outstanding commitment of Paula and Steve Kiefer and the entire team at GM, as well as our sponsors and other supporters, for all they do to help Karmanos Cancer Institute and those we serve," said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Karmanos Cancer Institute. "Cancer is a disease that often presents challenges; it's constantly changing and adapting to treatments that once fought the illness. It's critical that we continue to develop new treatment options and be relentless in the way we approach this disease to give our patients the best chance of surviving."

WHAT GUESTS WILL EXPERIENCE

A red carpet will welcome guests to the motion picture studios. The venue will feature iconic GM vehicles from the movies, including cars from the "Transformers" film series such as Bumblebee the Chevrolet Camaro, and Sideswipe the Concept Corvette Stingray. Other concept movie cars on display will include the Cadillac Ciel from "Entourage" and the Cadillac Sixteen from "Real Steel," just to name a few.

Guests will have a chance to win one of four raffle prizes donated by Somerset Collection. Tickets are available for $100 each and the ticket holder does not need to be present to win. Prizes include: a $5,000 Louis Vuitton shopping spree; $5,000 Burberry shopping spree; $5,000 Salvatore Ferragamo shopping spree; and dinner for 10 people at The Capital Grille.

There will be a brief program followed by an exciting live auction led by accomplished auctioneer Spanky Assiter, founder of Assiter Auctioneers and president of the National Auctioneers Association. Some of the intriguing auction packages, generously donated by General Motors, include: an Indy 500 experience package; Major League Baseball All-Star Game; Country Music Awards; Men's New York Fashion package; and a Cadillac V-Series Racing package, just to name a few.

Live entertainment by "The Royce & Jenn Band" and dancing will follow the live auction and continue through midnight.

OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY SUPPORT

Host Sponsor for the Karmanos Cancer Institute's 34th Annual Dinner is General Motors. Presenting Sponsor is Gallagher-Kaiser Corporation. Gala Sponsor is Edw. C. Levy Co. Executive Sponsor is Lear Corporation. Venue Sponsors are: The Linden D. Nelson Family, The John Rakolta Jr. Family, and The Robert Taubman Family.

Entertainment Sponsors include: AVL Americas; Credit Union ONE; and Johnson Controls. Dinner Sponsors include: ABC Group; Crain Communications; The Delphi Foundation; erae Automotive Systems; Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLP; Kenwal Steel Corp.; Elizabeth and Michael Kojaian; NFI Advisors Inc.; Piston Group; PRG; Quicken Loans; Tenneco, Inc.; UAW-GM Center for Human Resources; and Worthington Industries.

Media Sponsors are: HOUR Detroit/dbusiness; WDIV Local 4; and News/Talk 760 WJR.

Platinum Level Table Sponsors include: Barton Malow Co.; Fisher Dynamics; Inteva Products; Magna; McLaren Health Care; Penske Corporation/Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix; and TI Automotive.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

WHAT: Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute's 34th Annual Dinner

WHEN: Saturday, April 16, 2016
6:30 p.m. – Midnight

WHERE: Michigan Motion Picture Studios
1999 Centerpoint Parkway
Pontiac, Michigan 48341

SUPPORT: For more information, to purchase tickets or to make a donation, contact Kelly at 313-576-8108 or [email protected]. You may also visit www.karmanos.org/annualdinner. Benefactor tickets are $750 and Patron tickets are $525.

Companies or individuals interested in sponsorship opportunities should contact Lisa at 313-576-8106 or [email protected].

About the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute
Located in mid-town Detroit, Michigan, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, a subsidiary of McLaren Health Care, is one of 45 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Karmanos is among the nation's best cancer centers. Through the commitment of 1,000 staff, including nearly 300 physicians and researchers on faculty at the Wayne State University School of Medicine, and supported by thousands of volunteer and financial donors, Karmanos strives to prevent, detect and eradicate all forms of cancer. Its long-term partnership with the WSU School of Medicine enhances the collaboration of critical research and academics related to cancer care. Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., is the Institute's president and chief executive officer. For more information call 1-800-KARMANOS or go to www.karmanos.org.

About General Motors
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30 countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastest-growing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at http://www.gm.com.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 115 countries and selling around 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

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SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute