Pink Tie Ball Nets $360,000 for Breast Cancer
Pink ties were encouraged at the annual gala hosted by the Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Held at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts grounds on April 21, the Pink Tie Ball raised more than $360,000 for local breast cancer treatment and research. Nearly 400 guests attended the event, including the new class of Pink Tie Guys, a group of notable businessmen in the community selected to advocate on behalf of the organization. Guests sipped on pink cocktails while enjoying hors d’oeuvres donated by Bluewater Grill. Following a dinner catered by Crème de la Crème, the nonprofit honored longtime supporter Harald Herrmann (president and CEO of Yard House Restaurants) for his contributions to the cause. A live and silent auction, which sold nine pieces of original artwork painted by breast cancer survivors and advocates, helped the nonprofit surpass last year’s fundraising efforts by an estimated $50,000. Breast cancer survivors touched hearts with their personals stories of hope and survival, reinforcing the organization’s mission to end breast cancer forever: “I am here because of each one of you and now I am cancer-free,” survivor Sonia Briseño announced to attendees. “I was a woman in need and Komen’s safety net saved my life.” —Allison Hata
