ON THE TOWN: Fundraisers help in fight against cancer

Popcorn and pearls were in evidence Friday at the fundraiser of the same name at Paula and Art Devine’s mountain-top home in Glendale. Sixty people contributed $20 each to the American Cancer Society’s Glendale Relay for Life. Paula Devine is the Relay Team co-captain.

After a buffet on the patio, all gathered in the living room for a screening of the DVD with the most guest votes, “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.”

VIPs included four commissioners from the Commission on the Status of Women, Paula Devine, Lisa Koontz, Elizabeth Manasserian and yours truly; three Glendale City Councilmen’s wives, “Mrs. Mayor” Darlene Najarian, Sue Yousefian and Jani Quintero. Also putting in an appearance was the new general manager of the Americana at Brand, Wendy Bentkoski.

Other Glendale residents included Relay Team co-captain Jolene Taylor, Kathy and Bill Lefkovits, Pam Ellis, Susan Hunt, Shirley Darling, Judy Taylor, Debra Bright, Zar Ghazarian, Debbie Jordan, Diane Valentine and Linda Patrick.

Glendale Relay for Life participants will begin their walk Sept. 29 and 30 at the Glendale Sports Complex.

“There is no finish line until we find a cure [for cancer],” Paula Devine said.

Another fundraiser held over the weekend to beat cancer was Glendale Adventist Medical Center’s “Lights, Camera, Fight Cancer” fashion show and luncheon Sunday at the Hilton Glendale Hotel.

The beautiful models were all Glendale Adventist cancer survivors, physicians and staff members.

Nine-year-old model and cancer survivor Kai Bey stole the show. Event emcee was ABC’s Lisa Hernandez.

A silent auction and boutique shopping also caught the attention of Glendale Adventist staff members Melina Thorpe, event chairwoman and director of Cancer Services; Gwen Matthews, chief nursing officer; Sara Kim, physician and radiation oncologist; Allen Molina, registered nurse; and media specialist Alicia Gonzalez.

Planning Committee members were Valen Watson, event creative director; Mari Abrams; Bjorn Karlman; and Margaret Kaufman.

Other Glendale residents present included Paula Devine, Shirley Darling, Stephen Ropfogel, Mickey Parseghian, Cora Vergara, Bob Caseres, Catherine Yesayan, Nazeli Paronian and ceramic jewelry artist Betty Bairamian.

Representing one of the event’s sponsors, the Glendale Galleria, were Jamie Berridy and Janet LaFevre. The fundraiser’s profits will go to Glendale Adventist’s Cancer Services to expand infusion services such as chemotherapy treatments.

 RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthsowby@msn.com.