General Motors' Dan Akerson and Wife Karin to Chair Karmanos Cancer Institute's Annual Dinner, April 30

DETROIT, Feb. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is honored to announce that Dan Akerson, chairman and chief executive officer of General Motors Company, and his wife, Karin, will serve as chairs of this year's Annual Dinner gala. The 29th Annual Dinner is one of Detroit's leading charitable events that raises critical funds to support groundbreaking cancer research, exceptional patient care and education at Karmanos.

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"We are extremely pleased that the Akersons will chair this wonderful event that helps support our continued ability to provide the very best in cancer care," said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO of Karmanos. "General Motors has been an important and long standing partner in the fight against cancer.  We look forward to an exceptional evening to celebrate with our greatest supporters and advocates in the community."

The Annual Dinner is scheduled for Saturday, April 30 at the General Motors Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, a unique showplace of GM vehicles throughout the decades.  The black tie event features a reception, an elegant dinner, entertainment, a live auction, and a raffle sponsored by Tiffany & Co. Mr. Akerson will also make a special address at the event.

"Karin and I feel privileged to serve as chairs for Karmanos' Annual Dinner," said Mr. Akerson. "As a company, GM strongly believes that research must continue so that we can all benefit from the latest scientific advancements in cancer care and treatment. GM is proud to partner with such a world-renowned cancer institute right here in our own backyard.

"On a personal note, my wife and I are both pleased to be part of this stellar event. As new members of the metro Detroit community, we look forward to getting to know Dr. Bepler and his team of cancer experts who are literally creating the break-through cancer therapies of tomorrow."

Funds from this year's Annual Dinner will support the new Joseph Dresner Family Bone Marrow Transplant and Hematologic Malignancies Center, planned to open later this year at Karmanos   The Dresner Center will benefit hundreds of patients each month who are being treated for leukemia, multiple myeloma, lymphoma and other hematologic disorders.  It will also expand Karmanos' ability to conduct future cancer research and clinical trials focusing on these diseases.

General Motors is serving as Host Sponsor for the gala. Compuware Corporation is serving as Executive Sponsor.

For sponsorship opportunities, contact Maureen Bender at (313) 576-8111 or email [email protected]. For additional information and reservations, call Lisa Koltunchik at 313-576-8106 or email [email protected].

Located in mid-town Detroit, Michigan, the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of 40 National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Caring for nearly 6,000 new patients annually on a budget of $216 million, conducting more than 700 cancer-specific scientific investigation programs and clinical trials, 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. Karmanos is southeastern Michigan's most preferred hospital for cancer care according to annual surveys conducted by the National Research Corporation. 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.

SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute