Red Sky Night raises money to fight cancer

More than 200 guests, including many members of the sailing community, attended the 12th annual Red Sky Night, an Aug. 24 fundraiser benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). Held at the Columbia Yacht Club aboard the anchored, vintage ship Abegweit, the event helped fund cancer research innovations, cutting-edge drug therapies and cures.

Partygoers enjoyed a reception on the afterdeck, where dark clouds and winds over 25 mph couldn’t dim the crowd’s enthusiasm. Tables were topped with brightly colored yellow oncidium orchids from Fragrant Design under a canopy of twinkling lights and multicolored Japanese lanterns.

Master of ceremonies Scott Saxe, LLS Volunteer of the Year, welcomed guests and praised the fundraising efforts of the Chicago boating community, calling it the “best in the world.”

“In the U.S. alone, we have more than 1.2 million people living with blood cancer, and that number is growing. … Since our inception, LLS has invested over $1 billion into research,” he said. Survivors in the audience were asked to stand and be recognized, and there was a moment of silence to honor those lost, both at sea and to cancer.

Saxe introduced keynote speaker Dr. Paul Rubinstein, a blood cancer specialist who works out of John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital. Rubinstein shared current statistics and said his patients, many of whom don’t speak English or don’t have access to health care services, rely on support from LLS. “There’s a blood cancer diagnosed every 3 minutes,” he said. “Last year, about 15 out of the 17 FDA-approved therapies came from LLS.”

Red Sky Night was part of a series of on-the-water events, themed “Summer of Fun(d),” organized by the Chicago boating community to support LLS. In total, the charity series raised a record-breaking $520,000 over the summer. More online

Find more photos and video of this event at www.chicagotribune.com/candidcandace