With a cocktail hour that began at 10:30 a.m., the Ladies Leukemia League threw a holiday luncheon, “Fête de Nöel” at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside hotel. The turnout was its biggest yet, with nearly 1,350 guests showing their support for the League’s fundraising efforts, including Margaret Orr, who served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.
Chairing the event were Cynthia Aucoin, Cathy Wattigney and Carolyn D’Antonie.
While guests dined on ribeye steak (followed by red velvet cake), door prizes, including a shopping spree to Dillard’s, a Saks black cashmere cape with fox trim, an Estée Lauder basket and stays at the Hilton Riverside, were awarded to lucky and philanthropic individuals. Hiller’s jewelry also donated to the drawing. Following the luncheon was a fashion show put on by Dillard’s and Billy Flanagan, who had flown in from Las Vegas, enchanted the crowd with Christmas carols. By the end of the day, the Ladies Leukemia League had raised over $180,000, which will be awarded in grants to various physicians and scientists, most of whom are local, for their research on leukemia for treatments and ultimately, a cure.