Step 5: Be Present.
It’s important to attend, be present and support. It’s a game-changer when people are brought together for a cause. As a hospital volunteer, this is the advice I can share among my peers – be there with them.
“Our instinct is always to help those in need so it’s really great that we can all come together and help those fighting the tragedy of cancer,” said Foundation’s President and CEO Alana Stewart as she opened the evening’s presentation and award ceremony.
Since Fawcett’s passing in 2009 from anal cancer, Stewart continues to carry out Farrah’s wishes. She took the time to thank the many generous supporters, including co-chair and original Charlie’s Angel, Jaclyn Smith.
During the presentation and award ceremony, Dr. Piro, introduced Academy Award-winning actor Louis Gossett Jr. who is a two-time cancer survivor himself, thanked both the FFF and SU2C for all that they’ve done for the cause and he presented the Angel Award for excellence in innovative cancer research to SU2C’s Sherry Lansing. Lansing spoke about Fawcett’s courageous move to publicly announce her disease and the incredible impact it had in terms of erasing the stigma surrounding anal cancer.
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Dr. Piro returned to the stage to present Merck & Co. with the Medical Visionary Award for their incredible work in the medical field, which led to the development of Gardasil and the Gardasil 9 vaccine. Gardasil 9 revolutionized options for HPV related cancers and disease prevention. Stephen Wozny, Associate Director of Pediatric and Adolescent Vaccination, accepted on behalf of the organization.
Guests also enjoyed a live auction led by George Hamilton. Coveted items such as a 10-person dinner at the palm and a sculpture made by Fawcett herself were sold before Country musician Stephanie Quayle closed out the evening with a special musical performance. Quayle captivated guests with a set that included select songs from her newly released album “Love The Way You See Me”, paying tribute to the woman of country.
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Quayle performed four songs including “Selfish”, a song all about how she can’t get enough of her man and I’ve Got Your Six; a song about having your back – a perfect fit for an evening where support is treasured among all of many gifts.
Award-winning restaurant El Cholo catered the fiesta-style event, a theme inspired by the late Farrah Fawcett and her home state of Texas.
