Susan G. Komen® Orange County’s Pink Tie Ball Raises Nearly $400,000 for Breast Health Services

COSTA MESA, Calif. - May 16, 2014 - PRLog -- Susan G. Komen Orange County’s Pink Tie Ball inspired more than 400 in attendance Saturday to support breast cancer awareness and local services during an evening filled with upbeat music and uplifting messages. This year’s sold-out event at Kia Motors America, Inc., U.S. Headquarters in Irvine, raised $397,315 benefit local breast health initiatives for underinsured and underserved women and men as well as global cancer research.

“The fight against breast cancer is a personal journey experienced differently by everyone, but genuine love and support are common necessities for each brave battle,” said breast cancer survivor Karin Wheeler, who chaired this year’s Pink Tie Ball with husband Scott Wheeler, CFO of Experian. “Scott and I have been moved by the overwhelming love, support and generosity from the Orange County business community as we help Komen this year in its continued fight for a world without breast cancer.”

Each year, Susan G. Komen Orange County selects seven influential businessmen as Pink Tie Guys to be honored at the event – and to hold a special connection to the organization forever.  Pink Tie Guys are recognized for their support of the Komen Orange County mission and have made influential contributions over the years that have helped advance Komen’s outreach in the community. The distinguished men join 56 others selected in prior years as lifetime Pink Tie Guys.

The 2014-2015 Pink Tie Guys include (in alphabetical order):

·         Regino Diaz – Area Executive, Senior Vice President, Bank of America

·         Joey Hinojosa – owner and founder of Smart Levels Media

·         Brian Hirsty – In memoriam, Executive Chef, Blue Water Grill

·         Dr. Monish Laxpati – Chief Executive Officer, Medical Director, Alinea Medical Imaging

·         Dr. John Link – medical oncologist and founder of Breastlink Medical Group, Inc.

·         Eric Spitz – President and Co-Owner, Freedom Communications

·         Khanh Tran – Chief Executive Officer, Pacific Life Insurance

“This class of Pink Tie Guys has inspired us with a commitment to providing those in need with otherwise unattainable care,” said Komen Orange County executive director Lisa Wolter. “Whether they are on the frontlines battling breast cancer in the medical field, or providing much-needed support for Komen-funded programs, these esteemed men have demonstrated unwavering dedication to the breast cancer fight, and we are thrilled to have them join the company of past Pink Tie Guys.”

Those in attendance included local community and business leaders, breast cancer survivors, Komen Orange County Pink Tie Guys and breast health advocates. Hors d’oeuvres were generously donated by Bluewater Grill and cuisine was catered by Sundried Tomato Bistros & Catering.

For the first time, the event’s Journey to a Cure opportunity drawing, one of several fundraising endeavors, was open to non-event attendees through Komen’s website and was limited to 225 entrees. The grand prize valued at $18,400, provided by Black, Starr & Frost, included a private dinner for eight at the jewelry boutique in Newport Beach as well as a generous gift certificate. Sun Kim of PriceWaterhouse Coopers LLP took home the grand prize. Other funds were raised through sponsorships, ticket sales and revenue opportunities throughout the evening. The Ignite Your Promise pledges raised $80,500, including a matching donation of $25,000 by the Argyros Family Foundation, Ty and Caroline Taylor and a friend of Komen who wishes to remain anonymous. The event also featured silent and live auction items and experiences generously donated by Orange County businesses and Komen supporters.

Ignite Your Promise Lead Donors included: Argyros Family Foundation, Ty and Caroline Taylor and a friend of Komen who wishes to remain anonymous; Platinum Sponsor was Experian; Gold Sponsors included: Pacific Life and Saks Fifth Avenue; Silver Sponsors included: Black, Starr & Frost, Jones Day, Kaiser Permanente, Knobbe, Martens Olson & Bear, LLP, Mission Hospital and Scott and Karin Wheeler; Founding Sponsors are: The Allergan Foundation, Lee Ann Canaday from the Canaday Group and Harald Herrman; Media Sponsor was Coast magazine.

Seventy-five percent of the 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. 28, 2014, at Fashion Island in Newport Beach. Together with all of the affiliates, Komen Orange County is the world's largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to ending breast cancer at every stage – from the causes to the cures and the pain and anxiety of every moment in between.

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 with us on social media. For more information on Susan G. Komen Orange County, please visit www.komenoc.org or call (714) 957-9157.