Childhood cancer group applauds courage

The Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation honored the courage and strength of the children, their families, and the adults touched by cancer and other life-threatening illnesses during its 21st annual Profiles of Courage gala recently at Bellagio.

The event raises funds to benefit 45 programs and services of the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, including The Caring Place at 4425 S. Jones Blvd., which assists children and adults away from medical facilities.

In Southern Nevada, more than 400 children are diagnosed with cancer each year and more than 600 adults are touched by cancer.

The event honored Michelle Dell Ramsey as Special Ambassador, Charlie Mootz as Community Angel, detectives David Howard and James Martin as Volunteers of the Year, registered nurse Brad Skilling as Health Care Professional, Brianna Miller as Sibling of the Year, Sophia Quinton as Student of the Year, Danielle Hague and Drake Landig as Children of Courage, the Felix Buehler Family as Family of Courage, and Stephanie Austin as Special Angel. A special tribute also went to Betty Foster-Garrett.

Presenting the awards were Jeffrey Gordon, Geoff Lavell, Pati Kearns, Lydia Adame and Alisha Gordon.

Al Marquis and his Labrador Charlie, who have been honored twice as a Community Angel, were brought onstage to applause for their continuing efforts with the group.

A record crowd of 690 enjoyed the event’s reception and extensive silent auction.

Seen participating in the auction while Tommy Ward and his band entertained were Rod Davis, Jenny and Terry Care, Shelley Berkley and Larry Lehrner, Kathy England, Liz and Tom McGrath, Melanie Shafer and Mark DeVries, Julia Gilmour, Morgan O’Connor and Mardello Mauro, Jeanne Greenawalt and Irwin Kishner, Brent Torino, Lara Kolberg, Carol Kolberg, Joe Lombardo, Nancy Silber, Debbie Gordon, Vikki and Pat Christenson, George Ogilvie and state Assemblyman John Hambrick and Nancy Hambrick.

A double entree dinner featured grilled filet mignon and sea bass, and selected wines donated by Southern Wine &Spirits were served.

Dining tables were covered in mauve silk with centerpiece florals of white hydrangea, purple orchids, tulips and sterling roses.

Masters of ceremonies were Casey Smith, KTNV-TV, Channel 13 news anchor, and Maria Silva, KVVU-TV, Channel 5 news anchor and reporter. They welcomed guests and introduced Jeffrey Gordon, president and CEO of Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation, and Scot Silber, chairman of the organization’s board.

A video of Camp Cartwheel was shown where the children can go to play with medical backup.

Auctioneer Christian Kolberg conducted a successful “raise your paddle” to raise $50,000 to send kids to Camp Cartwheel.

The group’s longtime supporter Brent Torino added matching funds up to $50,000, so the total raised was $103,100.

Nine live auction packages raised another $41,500. Popular packages were a day at Del Mar; a trip to the Bahamas; a golf trip to Naples, Fla.; a trip to Sonoma’s wine country; and a trip to Kingston Ranch in Sandy Valley.

Before the evening concluded, Alisha Gordon and Daniel Emmet sang a beautiful rendition of “The Prayer” in Italian.