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Blacktie photojournalists have professionally covered hundreds of events from benefit runs, walks, and thrift store openings to intimate and enormous fund raisers and of course, blacktie galas. Here you will find the events that our members wanted covered. Many of the over 500,000 pictures from the thousands of covered events from the last seven years are here for all to enjoy and share

Leukemia And Lymphoma Society Of America's 17th Annual 2003 Diamond Ball


What:  Cocktails, appetizers, dinner, and dancing.
Where:  The Ritz-Carlton
When:  October 17, 2003 7:00 PM
Beneficiary:  Ed Heitz Memorial Research Fund for Leukemia And Lymphoma Society
Honoree(s):  Mary Strauss
Gala Chairperson(s):  Karen Carroll
Honorary Chairperson(s):  Mary Strauss
Founders:  Mary Pillsbury Heitz Wainwright
Committee Members:  Auction committee: Stacy Carey (Chair), Kelly Becker, Virginia Haigler, Virginia Howell, Mitzi Jones, Susan Nachman, and Jill Starr. Production committee: Gerri Stretz Meyer, Laura Peters Reilly, Denny Reagan, and Mary Strauss.
Sponsors:  Producers: Ed & H Pillsbury Foundation, Harriet Pillsbury Foundation; Director Level: Edward Jones, Harry Fabick/Fabick Companies; Cast Level: BJC HealthCare, The Business Law Group, The Larry Boyce Family, SWM, Inc., Dean Witter; Four Pack Level: Siteman Cancer Center.
Attire:  Black-Tie
Information:  Allison Starling at (314) 878-0780
Blacktie Photos by:  Brian Nauert

Leukemia And Lymphoma Society Of America's 17th Annual 2003 Diamond Ball

The Ritz-Carlton was transformed into shimmering diamonds for the Leukemia And Lymphoma Society Of America's 17th Annual 2003 Diamond Ball on Friday, October 17, 2003.

The evening consisted of cocktails and a silent auction, presentation of VIPs, Act One (featuring The Muny Troupe and The Fox Tellerettes), dinner of rack of lamb, honoree introductions, live auction, Act Two, and dancing.

The theme of this year's ball was "A Night At The Tonys" starring three time Tony winner, St. Louis' own, Mary Strauss.

Mary Strauss is best known as the woman, along with her late husband Leon, saved the historic Fox Theatre, a 4,500 seat movie palace, and helped establish Grand Centre, St. Louis' arts and entertainment district.

As one of the co-owners of the Fox Theatre and Fox Theatricals, she has won Tony Awards as one of the producers for "Death of a Salesman" (2000), "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" (2002), and "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (2002), which opened on Broadway in April 2002.

Today, Mrs. Strauss serves as president of Art Access, Inc. whose sole mission is to promote classical.

Mary Strauss served as the honorary chair, with Karen Carroll as the gala chair.

The auction committee consisted of Stacy Carey (Chair), Kelly Becker, Virginia Haigler, Virginia Howell, Mitzi Jones, Susan Nachman, and Jill Starr. The production committee included: Gerri Stretz Meyer, Laura Peters Reilly, Denny Reagan, and Mary Strauss.

Mary Pillsbury Heitz Wainwright established the Ed Heitz Memorial Research Fund eventeen years ago in memory of her late husband, who died at the age of thirty-eight from Acute Non-lymphocytic Leukemia.

There were four levels of corporate sponsors: Producers Level ($10,000+): Ed & H Pillsbury Foundation, Harriet Pillsbury Foundation; Director Level ($5,000): Edward Jones, Harry Fabick/Fabick Companies; Cast Level ($2,000): BJC HealthCare, The Business Law Group, The Larry Boyce Family, SWM, Inc., Dean Witter; Four Pack Level: Siteman Cancer Center.

Tickets were $175 per person and the funds went to benefit the Ed Heitz Memorial Research Fund for Leukemia And Lymphoma Society. Over $2 million to date has been raised to fund research and patient support for those fighting leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma.

For more information on the Leukemia And Lymphoma Society Of America-Gateway Chapter contact Allison Starling at (314) 878-0780.