Red & White Ball

Fifth annual event supports Leukemia & Lymphoma Society

The statistics are often surprising when it comes to cancers of the blood.

There’s the possibility that in less than five minutes of reading this, another person has been stricken with this type of disease. Whether it presents as leukemia, myeloma, lymphoma or MDS (myelodysplastic syndrome), the outcome is the same — an illness or syndrome that infiltrates itself into more than 173,000 people each year through bone marrow.

Though categorized into subspecialties, i.e. chronic leukemia or the lymphocytic type, there’s also hairy cell leukemia, in addition to LGL, or large granular lymphocyte, which is slower to be recognized but is also more difficult to treat.

All this means that the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society has to work harder to disseminate information on the disease, find cures for the illness and raise more funds for research.

This year’s turnout for the fifth annual Red & White Ball, held at the Philadelphia Marriott, was as jam-packed with attendees as the corpuscles in some people’s veins.

In addition to a whole room of silent auction items, there was also the possibility of a chance to drive away in a new Quattro Audi after wining, dining and dancing the night away.

What got the ball rolling this year was the story of Frank Purcell, a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor who is still free of his disease nearly 15 years since the discovery of his cancer. While the journey to wellness wasn’t easy, Purcell gave an impressive shoutout to the team at Penn Medicine along with the Abramson Cancer Center for keeping him alive.

Kudos also went to Wawa Inc. for its continuing support of the communities where it has stores as well as the commitment to bring fresh foods and beverages to over 750 locations.

Know of someone who needs guidance in the trek to wellness from leukemia, lymphoma or blood borne disease? Visit cancer.org/cancer/chronic-lymphocytic-leukemia for further information.

Mark Seltzer, Fran Cullen, Bon Siu and Todd Ehrlicht admire a “red for corpuscles” sports car.

Lisa Jackson, of Harleysville, and the Millers, Susan and Derek, of New Hope, check out the travel prizes before submitting their bids.

John and Diane Digiamberardino stop to speak with Marcello Ouzi, of Ardmore.

Ann Bowman and Matt Rafferty are raising funds to compete in a run for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Wendy Wagner, of Downingtown, and her husband, Robert, consider a bid on a piece of luggage.

West Chester residents Hillary and Alexis Francomano stop to speak with Chris Saylor.

John Conger, of Radnor, and wife Jennifer peruse the jewelry selections on the silent auction tables.

Newtown Square residents Clayton and Pam Platt await their turn for a formal photo at the event.

Joan Sullivan, of Downingtown, and her husband, Patrick, are among the first arrivals at the Red & White Ball.