2012 Pink Tie Ball

On April 21, the Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure hosted the sixth annual 2012 Pink Tie Ball at the Festival of Arts grounds in Laguna Beach to raise funds for local breast health services for uninsured and underserved women in Orange County.  Nearly 400 local community and business leaders, breast cancer survivors and breast health advocates joined forces and raised more than $360,000 net—surpassing last year’s fundraising efforts.

Harald Herrmann, President and CEO of Yard House Restaurants, was honored for his many years of ongoing support and dedication to the Affiliate. Herrmann is also a Pink Tie Ball sponsor and founding member of the Pink Tie Guys.

The Pink Tie Ball also introduced a new class of Pink Tie Guys:

• Bob Abbott (artist known as Jerome Gastaldi), Fine Art Communication Technologies and artist creator for The Yard House Art Collection
• Glenn Gray, Sunwest Bank Chief Executive Officer
• Dr. Gary Levine, Hoag Breast Center Director of Radiology
• John Miller, The Page Group Executive VP and Partner
• Kenneth McFarland, Mission Hospital President and Chief Executive Officer
• John E. Stratman, Jr., Kaiser Permanente – Orange County Director of Public Affairs
• Scott Wheeler, Experian North America Chief Financial Officer

These men will act to promote Komen Orange County’s breast health mission in the business world and local community.

Stay tuned for more details from the Pink Tie Ball!

2012 Pink Tie Ball Chairs John Miller and Marica Pendjer

2012 Pink Tie Ball Co-chairs: Michael and Trish Gustafson and Chereen and Lawrence Pasternack

Harald Herrmann, President and CEO of Yard House Restaurants

Sue Parks, Board President for the Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure with the Class of 2011-2012 Pink Tie Guys

Couples Having a (Pink Tie) Ball

Analisa & Dr. Bruce Albert

Even the name of the event is romantic – the Komen Pink Tie Ball.It’s an elegant evening of extraordinary cuisine, fine wines, dancing, haute couture and, of course, inspiration about why we need to end breast cancer forever. California’s only Pink Tie Ball will be held in Orange County on Saturday, May 15. The evening promises to be a sensory adventure, offering guests the opportunity to celebrate survivors, honor those who have lost their battle and ,most importantly, raise funds as well as awareness for the fight against breast cancer.

John Miller & Marica Pendjer

The Pink Tie Ball is chaired this year by a “trifecta” of couples: OC philanthropists Mrs. Analisa and Dr. Bruce Albert, longtime sweethearts and Komen advocates Marica Pendjer and John Miller, and fundraising power couple Trish Coury and Mike Gustafson. Each has their own strengths that will help create a wonderful experience for guests– for example, Analisa is a connoisseur of food and drink and will oversee the  gourmet cuisine, Trish is experienced in planning successful fundraising galas, and Marica is a marketing expert who is vital to the overall vision of the Ball.

Michael Gustafson & Trish Coury

Of course, their significant others aren’t sitting idly by; all are well-connected businessmen who will help perfect details for the ball and solicit in-kind and cash donations so more funds can go directly to the Komen Orange County Affiliate. Those funds will be used for local breast cancer services and research.

The couples are indeed making Pink Tie Ball “a labor of love!”

The Ball will be held at Atlantic Aviation’s private hangar in John Wayne Airport – the unique setting a representation of Komen’s worldwide mission to find a cure for breast cancer. Join the party — you can purchase tickets, make a donation for our auction or volunteer. Event details are at www.komenoc.org. Singles and couples welcome!

Click here to see pictures of the 2009 Ball.

Meet our 2009 Race Chair Marica Pendjer!

Marica Pendjer, 2009 Race Chair

It’s a good thing that Marica Pendjer doesn’t usually need much sleep. It helps on the morning of Race for the Cure when she arrives at her volunteer position at 4 a.m. (And mind you, this is a person who doesn’t drink coffee.) Her energy will also help her steer the Race committee and the long to-do list between now and September 27.

Marica is the 2009 Race for the Cure Chair, a volunteer position. She is a 10-year volunteer for the Komen Orange County Affiliate and each year she has been part of the Race committee. “I’ve gotten more out of it than I’ve put into it. What else was I going to do? I could watch TV or help raise $3.1 million. There’s no choice,” is how she puts it.

A major motivation for Marica is her mother Sanka, a 14-year breast cancer survivor. Marica’s mother, sister and nieces share Race weekend with her every year, commuting from New York for an annual family celebration.

Komen OC needs 1,200 volunteers for a safe and fun Race weekend. Since Marica is just one person, we need you too! (Coffee will be available for us more needy folks.) Learn more about Race volunteer needs today.