Susan G. Komen Orange County On a Quest For a Cure At 2013 Pink Tie Ball

TUSTIN, CA, April 13, 2013 (Press-News.org) Graced by a silvery moon and sparkled with evening stars, the night sky will light up lakeside at the seventh annual Komen Pink Tie Ball on Saturday, May 11, benefiting the Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Themed "Quest," the luminary event at Lake Mission Viejo will raise funds for breast cancer research and local breast health services for uninsured and underserved women and men. For the first time, a local breast cancer survivor will serve as chair of the elegant event.

"Komen Orange County has made an indelible imprint on my life as a two-time breast cancer survivor. My husband and I are honored to step forward to co-chair the Pink Tie Ball," said Estela Riela, Pink Tie Ball Co-Chair with her husband, Sam Riela.

Riela added, "I am definitely on a quest! I have two beautiful daughters and there were times, not once, but twice, when I worried my girls would grow up without me. I am alive today because of Komen-funded research and I want to raise funds so that every woman, every mother, will have that chance of a long, healthy life."

Estela, Sam and their two daughters all are involved with the Ball and share a passion for helping women, spreading the message of early detection and raising funds for groundbreaking research and development. The drug Herceptin is believed to have contributed to Estela's recovery.

One highlight will be the introduction of the 2013 Class of Pink Tie Guys, one of the most exclusive "clubs" in Orange County. The seven prominent men will join only 49 others previously selected over the years as advocates for Komen's breast health mission.

The public is welcome to attend this glamorous evening. Each year, the Pink Tie Ball is held in a unique location with a theme that reflects Komen's mission. This year's Lake Mission Viejo location is a private gem that will allow guests to dine and dance al fresco adjacent to the lake in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains. The theme, "Quest," promotes thoughts of finding a cure and was inspired by the lyrics of "The Impossible Dream" from "Man of La Mancha."

Blue and pink "Stars of Hope" hand-crafted by survivors and friends will illuminate the water's edge and guests will enjoy an evening of live entertainment, gourmet cuisine, and silent and live auctions. Guests may make a $100 donation to receive one of 200 unique stars and an entry into the "Star of Hope" opportunity drawing to win a number of prizes. The grand prize, valued at $6,000, is a set of 18-karat white gold constellation star earrings, custom-designed and donated by Black, Starr & Frost to celebrate its 200th anniversary. The earrings showcase the stars in 0.65 carats of round brilliant white and black diamonds.

Founding Sponsors are The Allergan Foundation, Lee Ann Canaday (The Canaday Group) and Harald Herrmann. Additional sponsors include: Lead Donor employees and customers of Chevron in California; Gold Level Sponsor Mission Hospital; Silver Level Sponsors Kaiser Permanente and Saks Fifth Avenue. Official media sponsor is Coast magazine.

"Each year, generous businesses and individuals come forward to further our fundraising efforts through the Pink Tie Ball and this year is no exception. Our sponsors are tremendous and we are so grateful for their support," said Lisa Wolter, executive director of the Komen Orange County Affiliate. "And we are privileged this year to have Estela, with her husband Sam, as our 2013 co-chairs. Estela and her family know the challenges faced by breast cancer patients and they also know how Komen-funded research has made a difference in their lives. We thank them for all they give back to Komen."

Seventy-five percent of the funds raised at the Ball will be invested in local breast cancer awareness and education programs, medical and diagnostic services for uninsured and underinsured women, and other unmet community needs through grants to community breast health organizations here in Orange County. The remaining 25 percent is dedicated to the Komen Award and Research Grant Program, which funds groundbreaking breast cancer research.

The Affiliate provides the community with year-round breast health programming and major fundraising events such as the Race for the Cure , this year on Sunday, Sept. 22. Together with all Affiliates, Susan G. Komen for the Cure 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.

Tickets for the Pink Tie Ball are $350 or $3,500 for a table of 10, and entries for the "Quest" opportunity drawing are a donation of $100. For more information and invitations, and to participate in the "Quest" drawing, call 714-957-9157 or visit http://www.komenoc.org.

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 Facebook and Twitter.