The Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition (DBCC) is proud to announce that its 8th Annual Southern Lights of Life: An Evening of Living and Giving event will be held at Dover Downs Hotel and Conference Center on Saturday, February 19, 2011 from 5:30 to 10 p.m. Southern Lights of Life is southern Delaware’s premier breast cancer fundraising event with all funds benefiting DBCC in Kent and Sussex counties.
“To breast cancer survivors, like me, who have participated in Southern Lights of Life, it represents a reaffirmation of life, especially after difficult treatments,” said Barbara McGowan of Lewes. McGowan is an active volunteer for DBCC, a participant in the Peer Mentor program, and a former Southern Lights of Life model. Southern Lights of Life features wine, dinner, live and silent auctions and an upbeat fashion show featuring models that are also local breast cancer survivors like Barbara McGowan.
New this year, exciting entertainment will be provided by Shirley Austin Reeves, former lead singer of The Shirelles. This all female band began in 1958 and paved the way for other female groups that followed. Their long string of hits includes “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow,” “Dedicated to the One I Love,” “Soldier Boy,” and many others.
Individual [ticket] reservations are $125 each with different levels of sponsorship beginning at $400. Live and silent auction items are donated by local businesses of various industries including travel, sports, entertainment, dining, beauty and more. “No other organization uses the money to support those in our own part of Delaware — exclusively,” McGowan said. “The money stays where it is raised. When you support Southern Lights of Life, you support your family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers who have been touched by breast cancer in your community.”
The generous support of the community enabled DBCC to raise $179,000 at the 2010 Southern Lights of Life event with 664 attendees. The funds were used to expand programs in Kent and Sussex counties which increase breast cancer awareness, promote the importance of early detection, provide access to mammograms and provide support and resources to women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.
This event has sold out in previous years. To make reservations online, please visit www.debreastcancer.org/SLOL/.
For information about sponsorships, advertising, and item donation, please check the Web site. For more information about this event, contact Michelle Marshall at mmarshall@debreastcancer.org or (302) 672-6435.