Karmanos Cancer Institute's 21st Annual Partners Night Sept. 20 honors Mary Kay and Keith Crain; raises funds for cancer research

DETROIT, Sept. 8, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Combine a sophisticated affair at a beautiful venue recognizing a well-deserving philanthropic couple and benefiting cancer research and it results in the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute's 21st Annual Partners Night, at 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20, at the historic Detroit Public Library located at 5201 Woodward Ave., in Detroit.

The Detroit Public Library, celebrating its 150 anniversary year, will be decked out for the 1960's Mad Men-inspired soiree honoring Mary Kay and Keith Crain, chairman, Crain Communications, Inc., for their longtime support of Karmanos Cancer Institute. The event will include a delectable cocktail reception and strolling dinner, a brief program, wonderful super-silent auction, a raffle for a $5,000 gift card to the Somerset Collection donated by Somerset Collection, and live entertainment and dancing throughout the evening.

Karmanos' Partners Night, along with the Partners Golf Classic held Aug. 25, is a signature fundraiser honoring outstanding philanthropists who support Karmanos' exceptional cancer care and state-of-the-science research.

This year's Partners events honoring the Crain's will support the development of a cancer survivorship research program, a special initiative to help support the continuum of care for cancer survivors after their treatment has ended.     

"I'm a colon cancer survivor; not once but twice and both times treated at Karmanos," said Keith Crain. "Being a survivor is a great thing. Today, many more people are surviving cancer due to the incredible advancements that have been made in the last few decades. Early detection is key so get your colonoscopy and other life-saving cancer screenings. 

"Mary Kay and I are honored to be recognized at this year's Partners. It's our hope that in our lifetime, there will be a cure for cancer. I don't know how or when but I guarantee you it's going to happen. It will happen because of everyone's contributions. Karmanos did a great thing for me and its compassionate medical team and staff continue to help other cancer patients survive their disease. Please continue to support this great institution."

Partners Night guests will also be able to view and bid on exciting super-silent auction and instant auction items from their mobile devices, as well as purchase raffle tickets or make a donation.

"I'm honored to serve as a Partners committee member to raise funds for cancer research and to showcase the exceptional work being done at Karmanos," said KC Crain, executive vice president/director of Corporate Operations, Crain Communications, and group publisher for Automotive News Group. "I'm also thrilled that this year's exciting Partners events are honoring my parents – my dad a two-time cancer survivor treated at Karmanos and my mom who supported my dad through his cancer journey. They are wonderful ambassadors of Karmanos and tireless supporters of our region. I invite everyone to join us on Sept. 20 for a fun evening benefitting a great cause."

The Partners Committee is a group of hands-on volunteers who have raised nearly $13.5 million through the Partners events over the past 20 years to support the Karmanos Cancer Institute's research programs. This year's Partners Committee Executive Chairs are Brian Eisenberg and Jason Geisz. 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.

"It is our pleasure to recognize Mary Kay and Keith Crain at this year's Partners for all that they've done and continue to do to raise awareness of cancer prevention and early detection, giving a voice to all those touched by this disease," said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer, Karmanos Cancer Institute. "Their leadership not only benefits Karmanos, encouraging funds for cancer research; it also lifts our community, showcases the wealth of talent here and demonstrates their passion to make a significant difference in the lives of others."

Partners Night Benefactor tickets are $250 each; and Friend tickets are $175 each. Pre-registration is required. For more information call 313-576-8106, email [email protected] or visit www.karmanos.org/partners.

Host Sponsor for Karmanos' 21st Annual Partners events is Crain Communication, Inc. Corporate Partners are Becker Ventures and Quicken Loans. Entertainment Sponsor is Chevrolet.

Platinum Sponsors include: Cambridge Consulting Group; Credit Union ONE; Ferrantino Foundation; Marjorie S. Fisher; The Forbes Company and Somerset Collection; Ford Motor Company Fund; Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn LLC; The Chuck and Dee Howey Family Foundation; Kenwal Steel Corp.; Mad Dog Technology; Eunice and Milt Ring; and The Suburban Collection. Gold Sponsors include: Chrysler Group LLC; Ghafari/G-TECH; Johnson Controls; Laura and Peter Karmanos, III; Julie and Nick Karmanos; and Christy and Jason Karmanos; and Elizabeth and Michael Kojaian. Media Sponsors are: 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.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140908/144081
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20071106/KARMANOSLOGO

SOURCE Karmanos Cancer Institute