Cancer Support Community’s Stories of Hope

The STORIES OF HOPE gala, Cancer Support Community’s signature fundraiser, took place Saturday, September 12, 2015 at the Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. The evening commenced at 6:30 PM with a cocktail reception and silent auction. The dinner, live auction, award ceremony and entertainment followed at 7:30 PM. All funds raised from the STORIES OF HOPE Gala remain in the greater St. Louis area for the benefit of people in the community living with cancer.

Dan Duffy, young adult cancer survivor, Huffington Post Blogger, and award winning film, television, and radio personality, chaired the event with auctioneer duties performed by Guy Phillips. This year’s gala theme, inspired by Cancer Support Community’s writing classes, reflected why the creative process of writing provides comfort, control, and the power of finding one’s voice again. Sharing one’s story offers hope for others in the community.

The dinner opened with four actors, Reginald Pierre, Donna Postel, Barry Weller, and Michelle Burdette Elmore, setting the mood for the gala. They recreated some of the scenes, stories, and feelings people experience when they first learn a diagnosis of cancer. Anger, defiance, denial, and acceptance reflect just a few of the emotions they portrayed. The stories ultimately give an individual hope they are not struggling alone.

CSC also presented its prestigious Marsha Wolff and Tina Borchert Inspiration Award to Individual Honoree Lillian Bolozky, Physician Honoree, Dr. Burton Needles, and Corporate honoree, Moneta Group Charitable Foundation. This distinction goes to those leaders in the community who have made a significant impact to families affected by cancer.

Individual Honoree: Lillian Bolozky
Lillian Bolozky, known to many as “Bubbles”, a native St. Louisan, grew up in University City. Lillian and her husband Jack have been married 56 years and are blessed with daughter Nancy, son Scott, his wife Suzie, granddaughter Caitlyn, her fiance Alex Garibay, and great granddaughter Adelaide. After their children were born, Lillian worked as a stay at home mom while Jack worked as a travelling jewelry salesman. Once their children became older, Lillian, Jack and their business partner started their own gold earring business, Erica Jewelry. Lillian became the backbone of the company, respected in the jewelry industry. She held the title of the first woman president of the Retail Jewelers Organization, Vendor Board of Directors. She traveled regularly and had an intricate role in the design of many of the earring styles. Following 25 years of business, the time came to retire and puruse the next chapter of giving back to the community. Lillian began volunteering at Cancer Support Community in 2006 and turned into an essential and irreplaceable volunteer sharing her skills and loveliness with staff and members alike. Lillian understood first-hand what many of the CSC members endure as she herself represented a five year lung cancer survivor and was diagnosed again in 2013 and 2015 with lung cancer. She realizes now more than ever what it means to make a difference in the lives of people living with cancer.

Physician Honoree: Dr. Burton Needles
Dr. Burton Needles’ career as a Medical Oncologist/Hematologist spanned more than thirty years. Prior to coming to St Louis, he had a Research Fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Loyola University in Chicago. At Mercy Hospital-St. Louis, he chaired the Division of Oncology and Medical Director of the David C. Pratt Cancer Center, where he established the multidisciplinary cancer program. He directed the Mercy Hospice Program and served as Associate Principal Investigator for the St. Louis Community Clinical Oncology Program, one of the first community oncology programs funded by the National Cancer Institute for clinical research. He also served as Clinical Assistant Professor at Washington University School of Medicine.
He has participated actively on both state and national levels, serving as; the Missouri Representative for the Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee; Councilor, American College of Physicians Credentials Committee-State of Missouri; President of the St. Louis Society of Medical Oncology;and a member of the Professional Advisory Board of the Cancer Support Community since inception.
He has received awards from the American Cancer Society including Outstanding Clinician and Professional Education. His clinical and research interests llay in the field of Urologic Oncology. Mercy Hospital recently named its Patient Cancer Care Assistance Fund in his honor. He also embodies a cancer survivor. Dr. Needles retired from active practice in 2014.

Corporate Honoree: Moneta Group Charitable Foundation
Having worked with St. Louis for more than 140 years, Moneta Group embraces its responsibility to support the community. In addition to their own personal involvement in numerous charities, Moneta principals advanced their commitment to philanthropy by establishing the Moneta Group Charitable Foundation in 1999.
All funding for the Foundation comes directly from Moneta principals and staff. By 2009, the Foundation grew to more than $1.5 million in assets, surpassing its goal of $1 million for community reinvestment. Today, its assets continue to rise, and its grants continue to make a difference in the community.
The Moneta Group Charitable Foundation provides funding for organizations and programs through its internal volunteer initiative Moneta Momentum. Outside grant and assistance requests are not accepted; rather, employees passionate about a cause or organization can rally their colleagues, organize a volunteer event and petition the Foundation for a financial gift on behalf of the organization they champion.
The Moneta Group Charitable Foundation has proven a valued, top supporter of Cancer Support Community’s STEPS FOR HOPE Walk for seven years.

ABOUT CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY OF GREATER ST. LOUIS
Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis, a non-profit organization, has a mission to ensure that all people influenced by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community to enhance their overall well-being. All programs are offered at no charge in a comfortable, home-like environment. Cancer Support Community offers professionally-led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and stress-reduction classes to empower and educate individuals affected by cancer.