By Kathy Collins
Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer of both men and women and the least funded. Prelude to a Cure was established by Moffitt Cancer Center’s Dr. Lary Robinson and Dr. Scott Antonia in 2012. The mission of the non-profit is to raise awareness and funding for lung cancer research in Tampa Bay.
For a third year, Prelude to a Cure will hold a fundraiser. This year, the theme is Give Cancer The Boot. The Italian themed event will be held on Friday, November 6 from 6-10 p.m. at the Clubhouse at The Bridges located at 11350 Bloomingdale Ave. in Riverview. Tickets are $100 per person. Sponsorships are available.
Attendees will enjoy the culinary skills of Chef Dave West of the Rolling Pin, wine and entertainment.
Debbie Ploor, owner of Orange Home Accessories in Valrico, is a member of the Board for Prelude to a Cure and one of the co-chairs for the event. Ploor got involved because she lost a dear friend to lung cancer.
Ploor was instrumental in forming the White Ribbon Soiree Committee which chairs the event. White ribbons represent lung cancer. Ploor said, “Over the last two years we have raised close to $80,000. This year our guests will meet the first recipient of the Barbara Bauer Innovative Research Grant. We have also developed a strong informational website to create awareness and raise funding for lung cancer research. The website is www.preludetoacure.com, and I want the community to know that 100 percent of all money raised has gone to research and awareness.”
Ploor added, “This year we will celebrate everything people love about Italy at our third annual fundraiser. We have a wonderful Italian singer and an Italian language specialist who will give fun tips in Italian. We will also offer a fun twist on the spin the bottle game. You can spin the bottle for a chance to win a bottle of wine or special olive oils. We will also have a live auction and more.”
For more information and to get tickets to the event, contact Ploor at 681-8686. Tickets can also be purchased at www.preludetoacure.com.
