Casual charm met glamorous sophistication at the American Cancer Society’s Denim and Diamonds 2024 Hope Gala, a magical evening under the stars at Magnolia Manor. Guests arrived in their best Western wear, accented with dazzling accessories, for a night of socializing, dining and dancing, all while raising money for cancer research and patient support.
After enjoying champagne and signature cocktails beside a roaring fire, guests moved to the pole barn to sample hors d’oeuvres, peruse auction items, play a ring toss for dining certificates, and purchase raffle tickets to win more than $4,000 worth of spirits.
Florida’s own Kurt Stevens entertained the crowd with his unique blend of country and rock before everyone entered the big tent for a hearty steak dinner catered by Adrienne Drew.
“I bet everyone in this room can say that someone in their life has been touched by cancer,” said Karen Franke, event co-chair with Richard Boga.
“Tonight, we come together to raise funds and stand strong in the fight against cancer. Your generosity brings us closer to a cancer free future,” she added.
Honoree Holly Waggoner Brown shared that as a young mother, she suddenly felt sick during a girls’ weekend.
“I got sick in the middle of the night and my friend carried me in her arms to the emergency room. The doctor there was the one who told me there’s something else going on,” said Brown, who was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
Faced with an aggressive chemotherapy regimen, her greatest fear was not being able to take care of her children. That’s when her village of friends and family stepped up.
“I would go up to Florida Hospital in Orlando once a month for infusions,” she said.
“My husband was wonderful, and he took on both the mom and dad role. And my girlfriends were there for my children and family. It’s amazing knowing that you have all these people you can rely on.”
As she began to feel better, cancer struck again. This time it was in her breasts, necessitating a double mastectomy and more chemotherapy.
“Everyone is so concerned about the patient, but the caregiver is so important,” Brown stressed.
“I couldn’t have done this alone. The support from my family and friends was unreal. People brought me meals, drove me to appointments and took my children on play dates. The doctors and researchers saved my life, but it was my caretakers and the people who loved me that gave me the strength to fight and then fight again. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Following her talk, auctioneer Wesley Davis led a paddle raise, asking for donation pledges to the ACS, specifically for cancer research.
“More than $100,000 was pledged in a matter of minutes,” said Theresa Woodson, Treasure Coast ACS senior development manager.
“Overall, the event raised $301,000. Those funds go toward lodging local patients in our Hope Lodges around the country, transportation programs and research,” said Woodson.
She noted that cancer is the leading cause of death in Indian River County, adding that one out of every three people will be diagnosed with it in some form.
Woodson said 81 percent of every dollar raised goes toward improving the lives of patients and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, and ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat and survive the disease.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
