Can’t Stomach Cancer Annual Dream Makers Gala
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa
Hollywood, Florida

Tickets for the Gala are $175 per person, and sponsorships range in price from $600 to $25,000. To become a sponsor or to purchase tickets, please call 954-475-1200 or email Events@CantStomachCancer.org.

Can’t Stomach Cancer: The Foundation of Debbie’s Dream (CSC) will host the third annual Dream Makers Gala. Co-Chairs Susie Alvarez Cope, Jason Chalik, and Ani Solarana hope to exceed the $180,000 raised at last year’s Gala. “We are thrilled to have already secured several sponsorships, but we are looking for more to help us make this event a huge success. The money we raise at this event will go toward funding much needed stomach cancer research,” said Jason Chalik. Sponsors for this year’s Gala include Title sponsor Proskauer; Platinum Sponsors Equity One and The Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa; Gold Sponsors HCA Broward Hospitals, Sheridan Healthcare, and Newport Beachside Hotel & Resort; and Media Sponsor Lifestyle Publications.

“Expect the Unexpected” is the evening’s theme. The event will begin with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and silent auctions followed by dinner, dancing, fabulous live auctions, and award presentations. Lisa Petrillo, Entertainment Reporter at CBS4, will be the guest speaker. Award recipients being honored at this year’s Gala for their dedication and commitment to CSC’s mission include Michael A. Choti, MD, from Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Mary Lynn Swartz, former CEO of Westside Regional Medical Center; Jennifer Kapp, CSC Board of Directors; and Meredith Clements, Society Scene Editor of the Sun-Sentinel.

Can’t Stomach Cancer: The Foundation of Debbie’s Dream was founded by Debbie Zelman, a Davie resident who was diagnosed in April 2008 with Stage IV advanced, incurable stomach cancer. At that time she was forty years old, married to a physician, the mother of three young children and owned her own law firm. She quickly learned that there were relatively few treatment options available for this disease. Debbie was told her chances of being alive in five years were less than five percent.
Stomach cancer is the second most prevalent cancer killer worldwide and one of the top cancer killers in the United States. Unfortunately, per cancer death, stomach cancer gets the least federal funding of any type of cancer. Doctors believe that in the face of America’s growing obesity epidemic, stomach cancer may be on the rise.
CSC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation dedicated to advancing funding for stomach cancer research, raising awareness about the disease, and providing education and support internationally for patients, families, and caregivers. For more information, visit www.CantStomachCancer.org