Spring Prevent Cancer Foundation Gala Draws Politicians, Pundits & Powerbrokers; $1.4M Raised!

GALLERY PLACE -- With the resonating warm sound of a half-dozen traditional alpine horns welcoming them inside, approximately 800 elegantly-attired guests were transported to the ‘modern + majestic’ mountains of Switzerland on Friday evening for the Prevent Cancer Foundation’s annual spring gala.

Since it was first founded in 1985, the nonprofit has provided more than $125 million to support cancer research, education, and community outreach programs throughout the country. And this weekend’s black tie bash represented one of the organization’s largest fundraisers of the year, with proceeds earmarked to support the foundation’s mission to save lives through cancer prevention and early detection.

Each year, the gala assumes a carefully chosen and continuously rotating ‘host country’ around which decorations, menus, and invitations are based, with Switzerland getting the nod for 2012. And while certainly the hospitality of Swiss Ambassador Manuel Sager and his wife, Mrs. Christine Sager, were paramount in the success of the event, the western European nation was also chosen because of its ongoing prowess in the field of pharmaceutical production and thriving business climate.

David Tutera, celebrity party planner and TV host of the reality series ‘My Fair Wedding’, returned as this year’s gala designer, even going so far as to solicit his Facebook fans to raise funds for the Prevent Cancer Foundation.

Spotted mingling in the crowd were Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), lobbying wunderkind Tony Podesta, Congressman Ed Moran (D-VA), Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA), and his wife Marie Royce, foundation Founder and President Carolyn Aldige, Fox News Chief White House Correspondent Ed Henry and his wife, CNN Weekend Coverage Manager Shirley Henry, and WUSA9 TV anchor Andrea Roanne -- all of whom clapped enthusiastically as former Congressman Michael Oxley (R-OH) was honored with the 2012 award for ‘Cancer Champion’.

A decidedly NOT neutral approach to stopping cancer before it starts!