Trends Charitable Fund event benefits University of Arizona Cancer Center
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
The Trends Charitable Fund is kicking off its gala season and continuing along with the 2022 theme of “Legends & Legacies” as vocal group The 5th Dimension is headlining An Evening of Trends, benefiting the TCF.
The annual gala celebrates local female icons who have made profound contributions to the community through their civic and charitable work. This year’s gala is from 530 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn in the Town of Paradise Valley.
Co-chaired by Valley media icon Carrie Martz, community activist Ania Kubicki, and Trends publisher Bill Dougherty, the gala honors 10 women named as “Trendsetters” and Fabulous Phoenician Nancy Berge, who will receive a lifetime achievement award.
“Whether you remember their music from the 1960s and ’70s or just appreciate a great performance, The 5th Dimension is bound to have everyone on their feet with their spectacular vocal range and showmanship,” Ms. Martz said.
With their signature hits such as “Up, Up, and Away,” “One Less Bell to Answer,” “Last Night I Didn’t Get to Sleep at All,” “Stoned Soul Picnic,” and the iconic “Aquarius/Let the Sun Shine In,” The 5th Dimension is a multigenerational favorite.
“When we heard about the significance of this year’s Evening of Trends and its theme of Legends & Legacies, we knew we wanted to be a part of it,” said founder of The 5th Dimension Florence LaRue. “We have been involved in charitable causes for decades and the Valley of the Sun has always been so gracious to us. We were honored to be able to give back just a little and are ready to put on one heck of show.”
The 5th Dimension will be joined by a special surprise performance, to be announced soon. The celebration highlight is the presentation of the 2022 Trendsetters:
- Audrey Alfano,
- Sheryl Cooper,
- Carol Dries,
- Micheline Etkin,
- Dyan Getz,
- Colleen Katz,
- Kolby Moffatt,
- Lorraine Tallman,
- Monica Villalobos,
- Mary Way, and
- Fabulous Phoenician Nancy Berge.
Trends Charitable Fund new in 2022
New in 2022, This Girl’s on Fire Award honors entrepreneur Kristen Shroyer. Gala Chair Carrie Martz created the award to shine the spotlight on up-and-coming leaders and pave the way for the next generation of “Trendsetters.”
Each year proceeds from the gala provide essential support for many causes and programs. The University of Arizona Cancer Center was selected as beneficiary of this year’s event. The center is the only one in Arizona designated by the National Cancer Institute as a “comprehensive cancer center,” which is the institute’s highest designation.
Proceeds will go towards biomarker and ovarian cancer research being done at the cancer center. The proceeds this year will go specifically to a university program called “Biomarkers: 21st Century Approach to Cancer Research.” This program involves a comprehensive approach to personalized medicine based on the university’s fundamental research with biomarkers.
“One of the reasons biomarkers are important for us to understand as cancer researchers is because they can help us to find better ways to treat individuals,” said Joann Sweasy, PhD, the Nancy C. and Craig M. Berge Endowed Chair and University of Arizona Cancer Center director.
“Just because two people have the same kind of cancer in the same part of the body doesn’t mean that the disease will progress the same or respond the same way to the same treatments. Part of what we’re doing is exploring why exactly that’s the case.”
Trends Charitable Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization that was founded in 1995 to issue grants to Arizona 501(c)(3) organizations that meet the TCF’s mission to support programs that positively impact women, children and their families where it can make a significant difference. Over the decades, Trends Charitable Fund has donated well over $5,000,000. Last year, the TCF presented a check for $500,000 to TGen from gala proceeds.
For more information on the event, visit www.trendscharitablefund.org or contact one of the chairs: Carrie Martz, carrie@carrieonconsulting.com; Ania Kubicki, ania@anglespr.com, 480-277-9245; and Bill Dougherty, bdougherty@trendspublishing.com, 602-561-9997.
Tickets start at $500 per person and sponsorships are available.
