Dear Friends:
My sister, Joan Hisaoka, founder of Hisaoka Public Relations, was 48 when she lost her battle with cancer on May 14, 2008.
To honor her memory and her dream of assisting those living with cancer, the first annual Joan Hisaoka "Make a Difference" Gala was held on October 24, 2008. Since then, thanks to the generous support of people like you, we have been able to raise almost $1,400,000. Last years Gala was named as the "Best Food and Wine" event in Washington Life Magazine's 2009 Social Year in Review.
In an effort to continue to fulfill Joan's desire to help others living with cancer and to raise money to support organizations that bring hope and healing to those faced with serious illness, we will host the third annual Joan Hisaoka "Make a Difference" Gala on September 24, 2010 at the Mandarin Oriental in Washington, DC. A four course dinner complete, with wine pairings will be designed and prepared especially for this event by none other than James Beard Award winning chef, Eric Ziebold of CityZen and the entire CityZen staff. This black tie event will also include a reception, dancing, and silent and live auctions.
This year, the main beneficiary will be Life with Cancer®, located in Northern Virginia. Life with Cancer® is part of Inova Health System, a not-for-profit healthcare system in Northern Virginia. The mission of Life with Cancer® is to enhance the quality of life of those affected by cancer by providing education, information and support. Their programs are free of charge to cancer patients and their loved ones, thanks to the generous support of the community. Anyone may attend, regardless of where treatment is received, and they offer classes for children, teens, and adults.
Our other beneficiary will be the Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts, located in Washington, DC. They will receive twenty-five percent of the net proceeds from the gala. The Smith Farm Center provides creative and wellness resources for people living with cancer as well as the local community at large.
Those whose lives and work inspire hope and healing in others are deserving of special recognition. The Hope and Healing Award has been created to honor individuals who make a difference in the lives of those living with cancer. This yearŐs recipient of the Hope and Healing Award is Carolyn Peterson.
We recognize that economic conditions have caused everyone to reevaluate their financial giving. Those of you whose lives have been touched in some way by cancer know people living with cancer cannot wait for an economic recovery to receive support. The need for your help is greater than ever, and your contribution has the power to "make a difference" to those living with cancer today.
The sponsorship opportunities for this year's gala are enclosed. We hope you will help to provide hope and healing to those living with cancer by becoming a sponsor.
For further information, please feel free to contact me directly, or contact Rebecca Zweig of BRAVO! Events by Design at (202) 543-7388, or via email at makeadifference@aboutbravo.com.
Thank you for your consideration, and I hope to see you on September 24, 2010.
Best regards,
Robert G. Hisaoka
Event Chair
Your 2010 Tax Deductible Contribution will benefit Life with Cancer and Smith Farm Center.
For More Information, contact Bravo! Events by Design Tel: (202) 543-7388 | Fax: (202) 543-7393