Western theme wrangles in support for American Cancer Society

“Western best” is the attire of choice for the 2013 American Cancer Society’s Baron’s Ball 7 p.m. Aug. 24, hosted at the Shreveport Convention Center. “Giving Cancer the Boot,” is this year’s theme.

The annual event is a night of laid-back fun and entertainment, while raising money for the ACS.

“One of the things that sets this event apart is that this is a night where you can wear your blue jeans, you can come and be casual, the food will be good and it’s all for a great cause,” Ann Harvey, honorary chair, said. “It’s a night where you can dress comfortably, put your boots on and come have a good time.”

The fundraiser will feature Nashville recording artist Bret Vidrine, food provided by Silver Star Smokehouse and Texas Street Steakhouse and drinks and cocktails by Glazer’s and Eagle Distributing. Also part of the event are auctions to win some big prizes.

“We also have live and silent auctions, [with items donated by] friends of the [ACS] or local businesses,” Tricia Hawkins, associate executive director of the Mid-South ACS, said. “This year, one of the most exciting items are tickets, provided by Ann [Harvey] and her husband Tom [Harvey], to the Saints and San Francisco 49ers game in New Orleans.”

“[The tickets] will be in a suite, with food and drinks, and it also comes with a walking pass,” Harvey said. “There will also be two sets of LSU tickets [to be auctioned off.]” “Whether you’re into sports or hunting, or shopping and jewelry, we have a little bit of everything,” Hawkins said. “It’s really going to be an exciting night because it will be a party with a purpose.”

The party will also have a casino gaming area, as well as a mechanical bull for those dressed in their finest riding boots.

“The cancer society’s theme is always to celebrate more birthdays,” Harvey said. “So this year, we have a big birthday cake made out of little boxes, and you can take a raffle chance to get a box with prizes inside. You get a chance to win a big jewelry item.”

“There’s something in every box, so you don’t leave empty-handed,” Hawkins said. “But then your name is entered to win the official raffle prize, which is a John Hardy bracelet from Lee Michael’s Fine Jewelry.”

The birthday theme holds especially true this year.

“We’re excited about this [event] because the American Cancer Society is getting ready to celebrate our 100th birthday,” Hawkins said.

“Inside the LSU-Health Science Center, we have two research grants that are being funded by the American Cancer Society that total over one million dollars,” Hawkins said. “That’s something I’m very proud of because our ultimate goal is to save lives, and we do that through patient services, research, education, advocacy and prevention. Early-detection screenings and guidelines were created by the ACS.

You can go to cancer.org to see a full list of our milestones. If you click on ‘Finish the Fight,’ it will show you over the past 100 years what our major milestones have been.”

“Last year in 2012, the American Cancer Society helped with over one thousand patients in the Shreveport- Bossier area, with over six thousand free services,” Hawkins said. “It doesn’t matter what type of cancer you have, or when you’ve been diagnosed, the American Cancer Society will be there to help you.”

Some of those services provided by the ACS are free wigs and prostheses, rides to doctors a p p o i n t m e n t s through the Road to Recovery program and a free night hotel stay.

“One of the best things about this is that with the Cancer Society, all of the money raised stays right here in the local community and helps our local people and the surrounding areas,” Hawkins said. “[The money] doesn’t get shipped off to a corporate office, it helps friends and neighbors who are here and battling cancer.”

The goal for this year’s event is to raise $100,000, and Hawkins hopes to see that number grow in the coming years.

“[Baron’s Ball] has kind of established itself as the fundraiser of the summer,” Hawkins said. “So we want to keep it fun and relaxed.”

For tickets and more information on the event, visit www.baronsballsb.org.

–Katie Ho

Ticket Information:

• Patron Sponsor ($250) – Includes two reserved seats, party photo, listing on the event invitation, ticket in exclusive raffle drawing.
• Table Sponsor ($1,250) – Includes eight reserved seats, party photo, listing on the event invitation, table gift, champagne for table.
• Military Discount Pricing: Patron Sponsor $225, Table Sponsor $1,125