Susan G. Komen Orange County Pink Tie Ball Locks In More Than Half A Million Dollars for Breast Health Services, Research

    COSTA MESA, CA, June 03, 2015 /24-7PressRelease/ -- An estimated 540 guests gathered at the Orange County Great Park, Palm Court Arts Complex in Irvine on Saturday for Susan G. Komen Orange County's ninth annual Pink Tie Ball, the largest event in Pink Tie Ball history. The sold-out celebration, themed "A Blast for the Cure," raised $554,067 for the organization's breast health programs and services, and inspired breast cancer survivors, supporters and advocates to reach the outer limits of critical fundraising efforts for the Komen mission: a world free of breast cancer.

"The signature Pink Tie Ball has proven to be a powerful event that brings vital funds to an organization saving lives each day," said Scott Sherman, who chaired this year's Pink Tie Ball with wife Karen Sherman. "We are proud to be part of something so meaningful and hope our contributions - along with those of this year's committee - inspired event supporters and future Pink Tie Ball chairs."

The pink-tie affair united supporters in raising awareness of Komen Orange County and honored seven distinguished businessmen as Pink Tie Guys - a title given annually to men who advocate for breast health within the business world and local community. The influential men join 63 others selected over the last eight years as Pink Tie Guys.

The 2015-2016 Pink Tie Guys include (in alphabetical order):
• Dr. Jay Harness, breast surgeon, St. Joseph Hospital Center For Cancer Prevention and Treatment
• Humberto Huerta, director of marketing, Ambry Genetics Clinical Diagnostic and Genomic Services
• John Jorgenson, region/district sales manager, Chevron
• Doug McKay, operations manager and district grant chair, Macy's
• David Page, general manager, Coto de Caza Golf & Racquet Club
• Mario Rodriquez, chairman, Hispanic 100
• Jeff Shady, franchisee, Little Caesars Pizza and Dunkin Donuts; partner at Coastal Business Group

"Each year, the Pink Tie Ball leadership and our Pink Tie Guys help us reach larger audiences, raise more funds and bring more awareness to breast cancer," said Lisa Wolter, executive director of Komen Orange County. "The dedication of the diverse group of businessmen honored each year mirrors our commitment to our mission of ending breast cancer, and it's so inspiring to see our community come together at signature events like Pink Tie Ball to touch the lives of women and men who are battling this disease each day."

Guests in attendance included local community and business leaders, breast cancer survivors, Komen Orange County Pink Tie Guys and breast health advocates. Guests walked a pink carpet and were greeted with a signature pink cocktail before a sunset reception. Hors d'oeuvres were generously donated by Bluewater Grill and cuisine was provided by Sundried Tomato Bistro & Catering. The event went off without a hitch thanks to 155 Komen Orange County volunteers.

Wolter kicked off the inspiring program before honoring the new class of Pink Tie Guys. A courageous breast cancer survivor, Jacque Ruddy of Huntington Beach, shared her story and explained the impact Komen Orange County had on her journey through the disease. The special event also featured silent and live auction items and experiences generously donated by Orange County businesses and Komen supporters. The grand prize donated by Black, Starr & Frost valued at $12,400, included a private dinner for six at the jewelry boutique in Newport Beach as well as a generous gift certificate. The Ignite Your Promise pledges raised $94,875, including a matching donation of $29,500 by The Boeing Company, Crevier Family Fund, Gray Plant Mooty, Pacific Life Insurance Company, Maxine Shapiro, Soroptimist International of Laguna Beach, Carrie & Michael Swanson and Universal Services of America. Other funds were raised through sponsorships, ticket sales and revenue opportunities throughout the evening.

Founding and Presenting Sponsor was The Allergan Foundation. Additional sponsors included: Gold Level Sponsors Bank of the West, Pacific Life Insurance Company, Saks Fifth Avenue and Silver Level Sponsors Alain Hirsch Construction Corp., Black, Starr & Frost, Experian, First American Title Insurance Company, Jones Day, Kaiser Permanente and Karen and Scott Sherman. Official media sponsor was Riviera Orange County | Modern Luxury.

75 percent of money raised at the Ball will support local programs dedicated to the breast health needs of the local community and 25 percent will fund cutting-edge breast cancer research. In addition to the Pink Tie Ball, Komen Orange County maintains year-round endeavors, including ongoing breast health outreach to the local community and major fundraising events such as the Race for the Cure , to be held Sunday, Sept. 27, at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. To register, visit http://www.komenoc.org/race.

About Susan G. Komen
Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Suzy, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer. Today, Susan G. Komen works to end breast cancer in the U.S. and throughout the world by investing more than $750 million in breast cancer research and $1.5 billion in community outreach programs over the past 30 years; providing funding to help low-income and uninsured women get screened and get treatment; advocating for cancer research and outreach programs; and working globally in more than 30 countries. Visit komen.org. Connect on Facebook and Twitter.

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