The Fête de Noël, hosted by the Ladies Leukemia League (LLL), is a cherished holiday tradition that combines festive celebration with a noble cause.
The event, themed “On Track and Tooting our Horn for a Cause,” was held at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Grand Ballroom with a focus on honoring leukemia survivors and patients Carson Landry, Sydney Schuler, Ronny Michel and Elise Michel Southwick.
Another focus is raising grant funds for leukemia research, and among the creative ways were the Parade of Prizes, a wine pull, restaurant raffle and 114 silent auction items, with a few of the top items including a diamond and gold necklace donated by Ramsay’s Diamond Jewelers; David Yurman diamond earrings, donated by Aucoin Hart Jewelers; and a two-night stay at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside Hotel.
Keeping the mood festive was Camille Whitworth as mistress of ceremonies while Marshall Harris provided entertainment. Dillards organized a fashion show that was well-received.
Co-chaired by Lisa Baynham and Julie Vanderbrook, and led by LLL co-presidents Jacquelyn Milan and Angele Riviere, the event was a resounding success.
The following April grants totaling $175,000 were presented to doctors at a luncheon. The recipients were Zhen Lin, M.D., Ph.D.; Rasoul Pourebrahimabadi, M.D., Ph.D. and William C. Wimley, Ph.D.
Fun Fact: For 55 years, the Ladies Leukemia League has been an all-volunteer organization of dedicated members who work toward a common goal to fund leukemia research.
