Mardi Gras Ball raises funds for cancer screenings

St. Rose Dominican Hospitals had its 53rd annual Mardi Gras Ball on Feb. 13 at the M Resort's Milan Ballroom. This is the longest running benefit ball in Southern Nevada. Proceeds benefit St. Rose's newest service, the RED (Responsible, Early Detection) Rose Program, which provides free breast cancer screenings, mammograms, biopsies, surgical care and living assistance for uninsured and underinsured women up to 49 years old.

More than 800 formally attired guests attended, including Tina and Calvin Tyler, the 2010 Mardi Gras presenting sponsors, and James A. Barrett and Laura Hoenemyer, Mary Kaye Cashman, Diane Carlson and William Freyd, Jeanne and John Kilduff, Barbara Kruger, Charles Guida, Barbara Davis, Vicky VanMeetren and Rene O'Reilly.

Also attending were Henderson Mayor Andy Hafen, Henderson Councilwoman Kathleen Boutin, Clark County Commissioner Steve Sisolak, Dawn Gibbons, Hugh Anderson, Sharon Carelli, Selma and Troy Bartlett, Lexy Capp, Denise and Gustav Mauler, and Linda and Mark McKinley.

Guests were greeted by Rod A. Davis, president and chief executive officer of Southern Nevada Market Area and St. Rose Dominican Hospitals, and his wife, Cathy.

Following the cocktail reception and silent auction, guests walked a candlelit pathway strewn with rose petals to the ballroom to enjoy a gourmet five-course dinner.

Master of ceremonies John O'Reilly gave credit to the Adrian Dominican Sisters, who helped found the Rose de Lima Campus more than 60 years ago. Sprint sponsored a video auction.

Guests Jean Garbian, Fafie and Jeff Moore, Jeri and Rick Crawford, Karen and Morgan Cashman, Karen and Fred Maryanski, Annee Nounna, Vermita and Harry Mays, Patty and Lee Young, Lynette and Kedrich Adkins, Geraldine Williams, Jennifer and Patrick McDonnell, Erwin Jones, Donna Courson, Dianne DiCiaccio, Ruth Saro, Yvonne Wickstrom, and Patty and Mike Morrissey enjoyed entertainment by comedian George Wallace, vocalist Ali Spuck, the group Mosaic, vocalist Rhonda Capriece, magician Ben Seidman, performers from "Legends in Concert" and Human Nature.

Christian Kolberg conducted a live auction for nine packages, raising more than $83,000. A year's worth of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts sold for $1,400, a Lhasa apso puppy went home for $5,500, four tickets to the "Ellen DeGeneres Show" went for $6,500, a night to remember at the Marquis mansion with dinner for 20 by Chef Gustav Mauler sold for $15,000 twice, and lunch for 10 with the Sisters of St. Rose sold for $12,000 twice.

Rod Davis gave special recognition to She-roes, women who have either battled breast cancer or been breast cancer advocates. Those honored were Diane Carlson, Paula Francis and Julie Larson.

Mardi Gras was co-chaired by Kim Moore and Toni Lee.