Season is getting into full swing in Vero Beach and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is excited to be a part of the action. The organization dedicated to fighting blood cancers is proud to announce Beth Scheibel will chair their Vero Beach Gala, which takes place on Feb. 3, 2020.
Scheibel, a vivacious 45-year-old survivor of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and former fashion industry veteran, moved to Vero Beach shortly after her autologous stem cell transplant following diagnosis and chemotherapy in New Jersey and New York. Her medical team here in Florida now collaborates closely with her team up north for follow-up appointments.
In remission since her transplant, Scheibel says she was first introduced to the organization by her cousin who was running for Woman of the Year in South Carolina. She is teaming up with several talented committee members who also have personal connections to the mission and are hoping to grow the awareness that LLS is here to support and help those in need in the Treasure Coast area.
“I want to put Vero Beach on the map for LLS. I’ve been in recovery for the past year and a half and this project is exactly what I need. It’s giving me a purpose,” she said. “I want to be there for people just as so many were there for me. Plus, I want to provide hope to those who feel hopeless. There is light at the end of that very dark tunnel.”
A good distance from Palm Beach, the Vero Beach event was created to let the community know that the organization is there to help those fighting blood cancers. “Though LLS may be smaller than other groups in town, we are mighty. We want to be in the forefront of people’s minds, letting them know when they need us, we are here,” she continued.
Honorary Chair for the event is Helen Post, whose husband, Dick, passed away from acute leukemia in November 2013 at age 85. A beloved and very generous couple who became involved with the organization following the loss of their five-year-old son, John, to leukemia.
Tom Segura, Sr, has been named Honored Hero. Just three days from retiring as a senior vice president of Merrill Lynch in Vero Beach, he was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Segura’s journey brought him to the top location in the USA for his specific condition: Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. There, he underwent a bone marrow transplant, followed by an uphill battle of recovery for many months. Happily, he has been in remission for six months and meets with a team in Vero Beach (Cleveland Clinic, Scully Welsh Cancer Center) that collaborates with his Mayo Clinic team. His daughter, Jane, who has been his caregiver, voice and advocate during the journey will be saying a few words of thanks on his behalf during the gala.
Committee members include: Aprill Baker, Maureen Bauchman, Heather Dean, Evan English, Ja’licia Gachelin, Kathy Hendrix, Julie Kagan, Michele Mackett, Lori McCormick, Rafael Ospina, Scott Thomas, Connie Webb, Luke Webb, and Molly Webb. Event sponsors include: Helen Post and The Plansoen Foundation, Wilmington Trust, Kevin Brown and Heather Dean, Dr. and Mrs. Charles Mackett, Sara Campbell, Premier Estate Properties, RoAnn Costin, Jason and Beth Scheibel, and Cleveland Clinic (Indian River Hospital and Scully-Welsh Cancer Center).
A 1920s-style “Paint the Town Red” themed event, the Vero Beach gala will take place at the Quail Valley River Club (2345 Highway A1A, Vero Beach, Florida 32963). In conjunction with the Vero Beach centennial, the event will feature plenty of gold, red, black and white. Suggested attire is festive country club, and the event will include both a live and a silent auction. The master of ceremonies for the evening will be John Moore, a popular and accomplished auctioneer. The event will also include passed hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, dinner and dancing with live music by Gypsy Lane. For additional information and tickets, watch for updates on the LLS local chapter website at lls.org/palm-beach-area and Facebook page at facebook.com/lls.area/.
