A glittery crowd clad in their best Western wear, hoped to give cancer the boot at the recent Denim and Diamonds 2021Hope Gala on the grounds of the Rustica. Presented by the Bernard Egan Foundation, the event benefited the American Cancer Society.
After enjoying cocktails and listening to music from Vivian McFall, guests headed into the cowboy chic barn, festooned with twinkling lights, chandeliers and white tulle, where they dined on a dinner rustled up by Adrienne Drew.
Local radio personality Hamp Elliott cajoled bidders to ante up during a live auction and Call to the Heart to raise money to fund childhood cancer research. The array of auction items were rare gems indeed, including a dinner prepared by 2021 Honoree Lily O’Dare, who had been diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age 16.
“We’ve all been touched in some way by the insidious disease, cancer” said Bobby Lindsey, event co-chair with daughter Ralna Reel, and Steve and Renee Rennick. “We pray that you would help us turn the pain of the losses into a positive. We can’t bring back our loved ones, but we can try to help someone else who might have to deal with the same thing down the road. If we save one life as a result of our efforts here tonight, then it will all be worth it,”
“This evening, we plan to celebrate lives touched by cancer and take measures to support childhood cancer research,” said Elliott, adding that attendees could leave proud, knowing their support is helping to save lives by accelerating the progress in the fight to end cancer.
Introducing O’Dare, Elliott said, “Lily found hope while facing cancer as a teenager. Tonight, she will share not just how her life was saved but how it was changed.”
A video presentation highlighted her journey, based on a letter she wrote to her younger self. Through the camera lens, guests got a small taste of her experiences, from receiving that dire diagnosis, through hair loss and sleepless nights, and today, surviving and thriving as a young woman. Given the gift of life, she said she has done her best to live it to the fullest.
“I was diagnosed, and literally everything changed in an instant,” O’Dare said. She also noted that a cancer diagnosis affects everyone. “Especially the people who love you the most. They’re in this too, just as sick as you.”
To her future self, she offered words also worth sharing with others: “Hang in there because it does get better. Spread your light and love always. It’s all in your perspective.”
O’Dare stressed the importance of funding ACS research, adding, “Had I not had the treatment that I did when I had it, I would not be here.”
The evening ended on a high note as guests gathered outside to sit on hay bales, where they were treated to an intimate country concert by Vero’s own Scotty Emerick.
In addition to funding and conducting research toward freeing the world of cancer, the American Cancer Society provides support and education to cancer patients and their caregivers. According to the ACS, which is currently funding $342 million in grants, the death rate from cancer has declined by 31 percent in recent years through ACS research advancements.
Relay for Life Indian River will be held at Riverside Park on April 2. For more information, visit cancer.org.
Photos by Kaila Jones
