Saks Fifth Avenue and the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium united to bring supporters together in the fight against women’s cancers on October 19 at the Key to the Cure Kickoff Gala located at Saks. The gala kick started a unique four-day charity-shopping weekend, where 2 percent of profits made at Saks Fifth Avenue New Orleans would be donated to the Louisiana Cancer Research Consortium’s research programs.

Festivities at the gala included the finest cuisines and musicians and beverages provided by Republic National Distributing Co. of New Orleans.

Attracting approximately 1,200 guests annually, 100 percent of ticket sales to the party benefit the LCRC.

The LCRC is a partnership between the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Tulane University, Xavier University and the Ochsner Health System and was established in 2002 by the Louisiana Legislature to facilitate the collaboration of cancer researchers and physician scientists in the fight against cancer. It is the only National Cancer Institute designated cancer center serving Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas.