The Southern Yacht Club hosted the 22nd annual Peake BMW “Leukemia Cup Regatta Kickoff Celebration” presented by IBERIABANK, Jack Henry & Associates and Harland Clarke on January 26. The event was given by the Mississippi/ Louisiana chapter of Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of New Orleans “to raise a sail to help find a cure for blood cancers.”
Gary Jobson, past president of U.S. Sailing, America’s Cup winner, author and ESPN commentator was the special guest. Jobson is also a lymphoma survivor and has helped raise more than $54 million for LLS. An additional luminary at the event was Rylie “Roo” Richards, the 2016 Honored Skipper. Richards, a fourth grader and a leukemia survivor in remission, has helped raise thousands of dollars for LLS. Sponsor Co-Chair Robert Kottler of IBERIABANK raised more than $50,000 to name a research grant in Richards’ honor. This was a first in the MSLA Chapter’s history of the campaign.
The food fare was a taste of New Orleans, consisting of mini poor boys, jambalaya, crabmeat on endive, seafood gumbo, shrimp pasta and white chocolate bread pudding. Piped in Music performed for the 170 attendees chattering amongst tables decorated with wooden sailboats.
The event was a prelude to the Sailing Regatta and fundraiser, held at the SYC on April 16 and 17.
EVENT AT A GLANCE
What: 22nd annual Peake BMW “Leukemia Cup Regatta Kickoff Celebration” presented by IBERIABANK, Jack Henry & Associates and Harland Clarke, benefiting Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
When: Tuesday, January 26
Where: Southern Yacht Club
