Joyeux Noël

Annual Fête de Noël for the Ladies Leukemia League.

Celebrating 34 years of fundraising for a cure, the Ladies Leukemia League, Inc. hosted their annual Fête de Noël on Thursday, December 4, 2008. The luncheon and fashion show took place at the New Orleans Hilton Riverside Hotel, and was emceed by local WDSU anchor Margaret Orr. A ballroom decked out in silver and blue held nearly 1,000 guests, who watched in enthrallment as ladies in beautiful attire strutted their stuff on the runway in a fashion show presented by Dillard’s. As the largest fundraiser for the charity, the event raised an incredible dollar amount, allowing the foundation to present $175,000 in grants to five Gulf South Region physicians. Event chairwoman Terri Kloor greeted guests, as did League President Cathy Wattigney. The special guests for the evening, however, were the three brave children who are battling the disease, and one, Faron Benoit, who is cancer-free. Santa and Mr. Bingle completed the event, and made sure everyone left with a smile. Amazing prizes were also given away during the luncheon, including a trip to San Francisco, a Coach handbag, various gift certificates to Dillard’s and a “treasure chest” holding a diamond pendant. Over the years the Ladies Leukemia League has raised over $2 million to support research grants in order to find a cure for this cancer.