THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY, THE 17TH ANNUAL DIAMOND BALL RAISED OVER $204,000 TO FIGHT BLOOD CANCERS! THANK YOU!

 
The "Service to Mankind" cermony was the highlight of the Diamond Ball. The 2009 "Service to Mankind" award recipient was Paul Nanula, President & CEO of Wilson Farms Inc.

The Diamond Ball is the premier black tie event of the Western New York & Finger Lakes Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. On Saturday, February 28, 2009, more than 600 guests enjoyed the evening of cocktails, hors d'oeurves, a silent auction, dinner and dancing at Samuel's Grande Manor in Williamsville. Jacquie Walker, WIVB-TV News 4 Anchor, continued her support as Master of Ceremonies for this gala.

Click Here to view the 2009 Photo Gallery!

The highlight of the evening was the "Service to Mankind" award presentation. Mr. Paul Nanula, President & CEO of Wilson Farms, Inc., received this prestigious award for his tireless efforts and support of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and the Western New York community.

This unique ceremony was very touching, as Mr. Nanula was presented with long stem roses from blood cancer patients of all ages during a moment of silence. One month of patient aid will be funded in Mr. Nanula's honor. 

Mr. Nanula was chosen for his leadership and tireless dedication to advance the mission of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: to cure leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, Hodgkin's disease and to improve the quality of life of patients and their families.  

Mr. Nanula and his wife, Karen, have chaired The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night Walks. Since 2006, under their leadership, the Light The Night Walk chapter wide campaign that takes place in Rochester and Buffalo, has raised more than $1.5 M. 

The concept of the Diamond Ball is that each guest receives a pouch containing a genuine gemstone; and one guest goes home with a ONE-CARAT DIAMOND, donated by Scanlon Jewlers. The ballroom was tense with excitement as five guests opened pouches that indicated that they were finalists. Each finalist then selected a special pouch onstage, and Larry Simons, a guest at the Columbus McKinnon table, was the lucky winner of the diamond.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society gives a heartfelt thanks to the generosity of our community, through both the corporate and private sectors, for helping to make this memorable evening a success. 

Funds raised from the Diamond Ball will support The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's programs of blood cancer research, local patient aid & services, advocacy, education and community service.

For information about the 2010 Diamond Ball, please contact Luann Burgio at the Chapter Office at (716) 834-2578 or 1-800-784-2368, or e-mail luann.burgio@lls.org.

CLICK HERE to view how funds raised will go to work in our community!

THANK YOU!

Funds Raised at Work in Our Community - Funds raised from the Diamond Ball are spent locally on blood cancer research and local patient aid & services.

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