THE CROWD:Purposeful in pink for cancer cure

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If you had any doubt about the power of purpose and passion, look to the cause of the Susan G. Komen Foundation for the Cure.

What began not long ago as a tribute to a woman lost to dreaded breast cancer has become a national campaign to eradicate the disease. On Saturday advocates of the Susan G. Komen for the Cure came together in Orange County with tremendous passion and plenty of pink to celebrate the first Pink Tie Ball.

Organizers chose a unique destination for the affair, inviting guests to the Ford Motor Company Building in Irvine. A spectacular spring evening, boasting supremely mild and balmy temperatures, afforded even a pink sunset to the west as the crowd arrived at One Premiere Place in Irvine.

Exiting their cars at the valet station, supporters from the Newport-Mesa community entered the party walking past an elaborate water feature that was a staging point for high-end Ford vehicles. Party planners had created a serpentine display of luminarias throughout the water feature surrounding the vehicles, setting a mood of both artistry and excitement for the party to come.

The crowd dressed to impress on this night. Women wore strapless and fitted floor length gowns in shades ranging from pale pink to bright fuchsia. It was an evening for upswept hairdos and diamond necklaces.

Many of the gents wore pink ties with their formal suits, extending the spirit of the cause everywhere they turned. For many, the champagne sunset reception was a time to share stories of survival.

Despite the glamour of the party, the evening was all about finding a cure for breast cancer and many of the people attending were there not just for the champagne and caviar but rather to make it known that they wanted their money to make a difference.

Among the dedicated souls were Carol and Kent Wilken of Newport Beach. Carol Wilken shared her experiences working with former breast cancer charity High Priority.

“It was not long ago when the subject of breast cancer was so taboo that people wouldn’t even call it by its name. They referred to it as the C word,” said Wilken, who went on to explain how dedicated Newport-Mesa women stood on the front lines of helping those afflicted with breast cancer, as well as working to bring awareness of the disease into the mainstream.

Wilken joined fellow advocate Olivia Johnson on the Ford promenade to proudly acknowledge the success of the Komen Foundation, which has taken the cause to a level of prominence not only in the Orange County community, but on a national scale.

The Pink Tie Ball was chaired by a triad of super-dedicated individuals. Harald Herrmann, whose wife succumbed to breast cancer, joined community advocates Aletha Anderson and Julie Ann Ulcickas chairing the massive undertaking. The committee included a cross section of society, including Newport’s dynamic Peggy Goldwater Clay, Barbara Eidson of the Island Hotel, Yolanda De La Paz, Stephanie Cole, Joann Leatherby, Betty Mower Potalivo, Michelle Roberge and Kathryn Glassmyer.

The massive glass doors to the Ford Building opened at 8 p.m. for dinner, and the cocktail crowd sauntered into the lobby of the building, which had been transformed into a ballroom.

The tables were artistically arranged in long rows the length of the lobby. There were only two rows, so no one felt like they were sitting in the back of the room. Large projection screens were strategically placed so guests could witness both the entertainment and the speakers who were staged in the center of the lobby.

A classy welcome and introduction was delivered by Janet De Wolfe, president of the Susan G. Komen board of directors. Tables were simply set, featuring an array of flickering white candles and a pink rose in a small crystal vase at each place setting.

Dinner was served with a first course of candied crusted walnut goat cheese salad, followed by a second course of chilled asparagus and basil soup accompanied by poached black tiger shrimp. A lemon sorbet pallet cleanser came before an entree of roasted Chilean sea bass and a decadent dessert of assorted ice cream with various toppings.

Major donors of the night included real estate dynamo Lee Ann Canady, Lido Isle’s Larry and Dee Higby, Barbara and Jim Glabman and corporate donors Allergan, Bauer Jaguar, Merrill Lynch, Chapman University, Saks Fifth Avenue, South Coast Plaza, Lindora, Hoag Hospital and the Yard House, to name only a few.

Following a live auction that included a Mini Cooper lease from Crevier, a trip to Italy and a gold suite for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, a surprise performance by Broadway star Jennifer Holliday was a highlight of the evening festivities.

Holliday, who starred in the original 1980s production of “Dream Girls,” performed the emotional ballad “I Am Changing” in superb voice.

The recent film of “Dream Girls” garnered American Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson an Academy Award for the role created by Holliday 20 years ago. In top notch vocal condition and looking svelte and beautiful, the singer-actress had fans rushing up to her following her performance for pictures and autographs.