News
Puttin on the Ritz at This Year's Pink Boots Ball
October 2017
On Saturday Sept 30, the 8th Annual Pink Boots Ball took place at the Ritz-Carlton, drawing close to 400 people for an elegant night of fun and philanthropy to benefit the mission and work of Carolina Breast Friends.
Why is it called the "Pink Boots" Ball? When our founder, Kristy Adams-Ebel was rediagnosed with breast cancer in 2004, her husband gave her a pair of pink cowboy boots to kick the heck out of cancer. And she did just that for the next year and a half, wearing the boots proudly and often! Today those boots reside in a place of honor at the Pink House, and they're also the namesake for the Ball.
However, if you didn't know the back story, you might think it's called the Pink Boots Ball because of the way guests kick up their heels on the dancefloor when the band starts to play! In fact, throughout the evening spirits were high and the room was full of energy for a good cause: celebrating breast cancer Survivors and funding our mission to support them through the programs and services we deliver at the Pink House and through our outreach projects.
We are thrilled to report that the we surpassed our fundraising goal of the evening by raising more than $165,000! Across the board, from event sponsorships to ticket sales to the silent and live auction, we met or exceeded our expectations for the night. For this, we are immensely grateful to every sponsor, Ball-goer and contributor to the event. Click here to see the list of our generous sponsors.
The evening's program featured so much heart and talent. It began with special music by renowned flutist Amy Blumenthal and vocalist Yusimi Cruz. Dr. Duncan Morton, Jr, shared heartfelt reflections from the perspective of the caregivers who treat those with breast cancer. Carolina Breast Friends Co-Founder, Chris Ebel, presented Angel Awards to Bob Hillis and Claire Talley for their dedication and extraordinary impact on our organization and mission. Leigh Goodwyn and Felipe Gonzalez Edmiston, the judge's choice winners from this year's Dancing with the Stars of Charlotte to Benefit the Pink House (see story), dazzled the audience with a reprise performance of their winning number. It was a program to remember--all navigated with gusto by our amazing Masters of Ceremony, Page and Jake Fehling!
Ultimately though, breast cancer Survivors are the reason we exist and at the heart of everything we do. We are grateful to have had the chance to recognize each of the many breast cancer Survivors in the room that night with a special gift made by the Survivors who are part of our jewelry-making group. We also look forward to putting the proceeds from the Ball directly back into the Pink House and the work we do here for Survivors throughout the greater Charlotte area.
That's what we call "Puttin' on the Ritz" the Carolina Breast Friends way!
- PJY
Want to see for yourself? Click here to look at photos from the Pink Boots Ball 2017
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- 1607 E Morehead Street, Charlotte NC 28207