Presented by Bernard Egan Foundation Honoring Honoree Marni Parent Howder
Vero Beach, FL (August 15, 2023) – The American Cancer Society (ACS) Indian River County is pleased to announce the 2023 Denim & Diamonds Hope Gala by presenting sponsor The Bernard Egan Foundation, who’s been the “Champion of Hope” for the Society’s Hope Gala events for seven years in a row!
The event this year will be held at Magnolia Manor in Vero Beach, featuring Honoree Marni Parent Howder, an 8-year brain cancer survivor, and Nashville country music singer/songwriter Kurt Stevens and Vero Beach’s own popular 7-piece band, Riptide.
American Cancer Society’s gala engages supporters in our community whose generous donations allow the American Cancer Society to fulfill its mission.
As the nation’s preeminent cancer-fighting organization, the American Cancer Society funds and conducts research, shares expert information, supports people with cancer, spreads the word about prevention, advocates for public policy change ensuring that all people have a fair and just opportunity to prevent, find, treat, and survive cancer.
This year’s event will be held in the evening at Vero Beach’s Magnolia Manor where guests will gather under an “Old-Florida style” pole barn. The evening begins with a champagne meet-and-greet upon arrival, followed by fireside cocktails with Kurt Stevens. Guests will enjoy a dinner provided by 14 Bones Catering, a live auction, and other fun opportunities for supportive giving. The height of the evening comes when the mission is brought into focus with a “Call to the Heart” featuring the Honoree story and remarks, followed by celebration of life music and dancing.
“In 2015, I was diagnosed with advanced stage brain cancer, so my family and I know firsthand about the impact cancer has on the lives of patients and families. We are forever grateful for the cancer research that led to my miraculous full recovery,” said Marni Howder. “For us it’s paying it forward. There is still so much research being done. I have lost family and close friends to cancer because they ran out of treatment options. We need to keep doing this, there are people and families who will be relying on what we do today.”
Marni’s experience from brain cancer diagnosis to brain surgery in a matter of weeks is hard to believe and is a story worth being told. What began as headaches and ringing in her ears resulted in a seven and a half hour ‘awake’ brain surgery.
The featured entertainer for the evening is Kurt Stevens. A Florida native, Kurt is known for bringing his own brand of chilled-out South Florida vibes to the rough backroad sounds of Nashville – as best demonstrated in his 2019 release “Once in a Blue Moon,” opening up for name acts like Dustin Lynch, The Band Perry, Maren Morris and Luke Combs.
The Denim & Diamonds event planning is under the direction of the co-chairs Heather Reeb and Robb Falana, and the host committee including: Karen Franke, Amy Hass, Teresa Hilton, Alyse Katz, Mike Lafferty, Dianne Miller, Mazie Regan, Shay Pritchett, Dr. Jenna Schwibner, Bobbi Streetman, Melissa Talley.
Also, many stepped up to the plate again this year to make this event possible. Presenting sponsor Bernard Egan Foundation is joined by top sponsors Steve Ciancio Business Broker, Dr. Michaela Scott, Bobby & Marlene Lindsey, Michael Merrill Real Estate, Steve Rennick Home Team Real Estate, Premier Estate Properties Brown Talley Group, O’Dare Boga Dobson Group, TP Kennedy Group, Hannabri Roofing, Kmetz, Elwell, Graham & Associates. Sponsorships are still available by inquiry below.
For more information on the Denim & Diamonds event, including sponsorship and ticket information, please visit the event website at DenimDiamonds23.givesmart.com or contact Theresa Woodson at Theresa.Woodson@cancer.org
About American Cancer Society. The American Cancer Society is the leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. We are the only organization improving the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. For more information, go to www.cancer.org.
