Cancer Survivors Gala November 4

Mercy Health - Cincinnati, which provides advanced, quality care with compassion in your neighborhood through its care network, announces that it is sponsoring the Ninth Annual Black & White Cancer Survivors’ Gala, a black tie celebration of life in the face of cancer and an event that promotes increased cancer awareness.

The Black & White Cancer Survivors’ Gala takes place on Saturday, November 4 at the Duke Energy Convention Center, located in downtown Cincinnati at 525 Elm St., ZIP 45202. The event begins with a reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and dancing from 7 p.m. to midnight. Guests should dress in black and/or white for the black tie affair. Duke Energy listed last year’s gala, which attracted more than 1,200, as one of its top 15 events of the year.

That’s a far cry from what started nine years ago as an intimate celebration among a small group of friends who’d survived cancer.

“We were very fortunate to discover we had cancer when it was still in the early stages,” says Mercy Health Physician Keith Melvin, MD, who co-founded the gala with his friend Bill Mabrey, renowned local DJ and event planner. “We remain highly conscious of the pressing need to heighten community awareness about the importance of cancer screening and our mission is to encourage cancer screenings, promote the benefits of preventive healthcare and support local cancer-focused organizations.”

Radio personalities Lincoln Ware and Faith Daniels serve as the evening’s MCs and Bill Mabrey shares co-hosting duties with Dr. Melvin. Guests will live music from Muzic Company of Cincinnati. After dinner, DJ Perry Simmons will get attendees up and on their feet up through the midnight hour.

Tickets, which are tax deductible, cost $65 before October 1 and $70 after. They are available online through Friday, November 3, at http://www.blackandwhitecancersurvivorsfoundation.com/ and at Dr. Melvin’s practice, Mercy Health – Avondale Internal Medicine, which is located at 2132 Dana Ave., Suite 400, in Cincinnati, ZIP 45207-1227. Tickets will not be available at the door. For more information, please call Dr. Melvin’s office at 513-585-9500.