Seasons to Believe

The event: Woman of the Year “Spirit of Life” award dinner honoring television actress Marcia Wallace, a breast-cancer survivor. Saturday’s gala at the Hyatt Regency Irvine was staged by the newly formed Women’s Council of Orange County for the City of Hope’s women’s cancer research and treatment.

Marcia, Marcia, Marcia: Council members chose Wallace as their first Woman of the Year for her philanthropy and promotion of breast-cancer prevention. “My message is one of early detection. I’m trying to remind women to take responsibility for their health,” said Wallace, who, as receptionist Carol, won the hearts of “The Bob Newhart Show” viewers in the ‘70s and beyond.

“I was lucky. Twelve years ago I had cancer and it never came back.” The actress currently can be heard as the voice of Bart’s teacher on “The Simpsons.”

Calendar on the walls: In keeping with the gala theme, “A Woman for All Seasons,” the ballroom was lit up by colorful spotlights that projected images of snowflakes, Fourth of July fireworks, leafy trees in springtime and trees with bare branches.

“We felt the four seasons represent the full phase of a woman’s life,” said Cheryl Harrington, event chairwoman.

Mr. Blackwell, best-known for his dreaded worst-dressed lists, served as the evening’s emcee, but rather than regale the 300 guests with his devastating fashion critiques, he focused on the cause. He was a cancer patient at City of Hope in 1959: “I just want to tell people how grateful I am that I survived.”

Quote: “City of Hope has 400 support groups, but the Women’s Council is unique,” said Gil Schwartzberg, board chairman of City of Hope. “It’s our first women’s group. We hope to see groups like this throughout the country.”

Bottom line: The $175-per-person dinner netted about $75,000 for City of Hope’s Women’s Cancer Treatment Center in Duarte. The 40-member Women’s Council, based in Irvine, was formed in January by local female executives to raise awareness of women’s health-care issues and to support women’s cancer programs at City of Hope. Proceeds will fund treatments not covered by insurance companies because they are considered experimental. “The funds will save lives that otherwise wouldn’t be saved,” Schwartzberg said.

Faces: Christine Sims, event co-chairwoman, and her husband, Frank; Janine McDonough; Antoinette Shor; Debbie Schwartzberg; Jim and Berri Harris; Van and Cindy Rubiano; Rosanne Chaney; Melanie Hanisco; Zov Karamardian; and Gordon and Betty Jump.

What’s Ahead: The Women’s Council of Orange County is planning educational symposiums and other fund-raisers. For information about the group, call (714) 622-1900.