“One out of two of men and one out of three women here tonight will get some type of cancer that can potentially take their life,” said local oncologist Dr. Raul Storey, honorary chair of Saturday evening’s Bella Notte: A Beautiful Night to Celebrate Life to benefit the American Cancer Society. “And that’s why events like Bella Notte are so important.”
Co-hosted by Valerie MacMillan and Maureen Leu, the annual Hope Gala drew more than 130 guests to the Oak Harbor Club House for an elegant evening of cocktails, dinner and dancing to raise money for valuable ACS research programs seeking enhanced treatments and a future cure.
Leu and MacMillan opted to change things up this year, choosing a new venue, switching the night slot from Monday to Saturday and offering more entertainment –highlighted by the Motown sounds of Curtis Hill – to increase the fun level. John Moore, auctioneer extraordinaire, led a live auction that included such valued items as VIP passes to the upcoming Blue Angels show and a Sunset Getaway Naples resort/spa package.
Neal Watkins, as master of ceremonies, kept things moving along, introducing guest speakers Storey as well as Janet Fraley, who spoke about her personal cancer story. A Vero Beach esophageal cancer survivor, Fraley had to travel to Tampa to receive treatments at the Moffitt Center.
“We stayed at The Lodge at Moffitt for seven weeks and it was wonderful because you just cross the sidewalk to the hospital where I had radiation and chemotherapy every day,” said Fraley. “My husband was also able to stay with me the entire time.”
Ken Fraley, an employee at Piper Aircraft, was able to keep his wife company and work from a suite at the lodge provided to them through an arrangement with the ACS. It was especially important during those times when Janet did not feel well enough to make the long drive home.
“They provided a residence right next to the treatment facility. Traffic was very busy in Tampa but we were right there so it was a tremendous convenience. They gave us housing, laundry facilities and a place to cook. They also had local ACS Relay for Life groups come in and make a dinner for everybody,” said Ken Fraley.
Additionally, the couple was invited to various activities to make their stay more bearable, including a patient makeover through the “Look Good, Feel Better” program, which helps boost patient self-esteem.
“Although I did not lose my hair, cancer gives your skin a yellow pallor, so they made us look more normal,” said Janet Fraley. “I told one lady they made her look so beautiful that her husband better take her out.”
Lori McCormick, administrative director of the Scully-Welsh Cancer Center, said everything is provided through the ACS Patient Navigator Program, which guides oncology patients through needed services.
“Currently, we have three navigators who assist patients through a complex healthcare system and help them get things they need, such as transportation to treatments, support groups and other resources,” McCormick said.
The primary mission of the American Cancer Society and the goal of fundraisers such as Bella Notte is finding a cure for the devastating disease.
“We have now had an explosion of new drugs, which has become second to chemotherapy and surgery,” said oncologist Dr. Michaela Scott, a cancer survivor, event sponsor and former Indian River County ACS board president. “The American Cancer Society has been in the forefront of that research.”