Karmanos Cancer Institute's 21st Annual Partners events raise more than $916,000 for cancer survivorship research

DETROIT, Sept. 24, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute's 21st Annual Partners Golf and Night events have raised more than $916,000 to fund cancer survivorship research. Honored this year were the Institute's long-time benefactors Mary Kay and Keith Crain. 

"Mary Kay and I are extremely proud of the honor we received at Partners Night," said Keith Crain, chairman of Crain Communications Inc. "Karmanos Cancer Institute is a very important place. I know. I'm a cancer survivor. I've given my business to them twice and they've saved my life both times."

Partners is a combination of two fundraising events that support cancer research and honor outstanding philanthropists who support Karmanos' exceptional cancer care and state-of-the-science research. The 21st Annual Partners Golf Classic took place Aug. 25 at Franklin Hills Country Club. Guests took part in a competitive golf scramble, silent auction, lunch reception and an awards dinner.

The 21st Annual Partners Night was a sophisticated, 1960s-era, Mad Men-inspired party, which took place Sept. 20 at the historic Detroit Public Library. More than 450 guests strolled past the 2014 car and truck of the year -- the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado and 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray – as they entered the library. Vehicles were presented by Entertainment Sponsor Chevrolet.

"With funds generated this year from the Golf Classic and Night events, our scientists will be able to create the research infrastructure needed to ensure a high quality of life for those who have beaten cancer," said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO, Karmanos Cancer Institute. "We know that it's important to care for our patients at every step of their cancer journey. We are in a unique position to make significant and meaningful contributions to survivorship care research and to build a world-class cancer survivorship program."

During the Partners Night event, guests mingled and grooved on the library's third floor, beautifully transformed in shades of amber, purple and blue lights and punctuated by the pounding beats of violin trio NUCLASSICA and D.J. Tom T. A strolling dinner was presented by Forte Belanger, with servers dressed as librarians. Jason Stein, editor and publisher of Automotive News, served as event emcee.

Throughout the evening, guests could view a live feed of their social media activity (flagged with #KarmanosPartners and/or #Karmanos) on a social wall, streamed on video screens placed throughout the venue. The social wall also showcased a donation tally and live feed of the entertainers, as well as the evening's program. 

The event's super-silent auction included: a Kid Rock-autographed guitar; 2014 and 2015 Disney World passes for the entire family; a 2015 Masters Golf package; a Detroit Red Wings ticket package with guest DJ experience; a Johan Franzen signed Detroit Red Wings jersey; a Detroit Tigers ticket package with limited edition pink bat autographed by Alex Avila; Quicken Loans Dream Seats at Ford Field for the Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game; two tickets to the NCAA Final Four Championship; dinner at the Vinsetta Garage; and a Shinola watch. Guests also had a chance to win a raffle for a $5,000 gift card for Somerset Collection, donated by Somerset Collection.

At the night's completion, guests took home coffee and teas to go and received gourmet cookies compliments of Sanders Candy.

Over the past 21 years, Partners, a group of hands-on volunteers, have raised nearly $14.5 million through the Partners events to support the Karmanos Cancer Institute's exceptional state-of-the science research. The Partners Group was the original vision of Anna and Harry Korman in memory of their daughter, Suzanne, who died of cancer at age 36. They established a research fund to help others with cancer and to begin a legacy of research to help create more effective treatments, earlier detection methods, as well as building support for patients and their families so that others would not have to suffer as their daughter did.  

Partners Executive Committee Co-Chairs this year were Brian Eisenberg and Jason Geisz.

Major event sponsors of the Partners events included Host Sponsor Crain Communications, Corporate Partners Becker Ventures and Quicken Loans, Entertainment Sponsor Chevrolet, Platinum Sponsors Cambridge Consulting Group, Credit Union ONE, The Ferrantino Foundation, Marjorie S. Fisher, The Forbes Company and Somerset Collection, The Ford Motor Company Fund, Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn, LLP, The Chuck and Dee Howey Family Foundation, Kenwal Steel Corp., Mad Dog Technology, Eunice and Milt Ring and the Suburban Collection, Gold Sponsors were Chrysler Group LLC, Ghafari/G-Tech, Johnson Controls, Laura and Peter Karmanos, III, Julie and Nick Karmanos, Christy and Jason Karmanos, and Elizabeth and Michael Kojaian. Media sponsors were Crain's Detroit Business and News/Talk 760 WJR.

About the Partners
The Partners are a group of hardworking and "hands-on" volunteers who have pooled their ideas and resources and joined together for the sole purpose of raising funds for the Karmanos Cancer Institute. Many of these dedicated volunteers are motivated by their own personal struggles or those of loved ones battling this disease. The Partners are dedicated to making sure that other families, who are facing this illness, always have a place to turn where they will receive the ultimate in patient care, education and treatment. For more information, go to http://www.karmanos.org/partners.       

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 41 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.  

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SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute