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OUT & ABOUT

CHARITY PURSUITS AND COASTAL HAPPENINGS
WOMEN OF GREATNESS BRUNCH & BUBBLY
Raising $ 42,000 for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast , which includes Newport Beach , the sixth annual Women of Greatness Brunch & Bubbly took place March 19 at Balboa Bay Resort . Attended by 110 supporters , the event celebrated the women who have significantly impacted the lives of OC children and their families . Proceeds will help the organization continue providing mentorship to local youths as well as services through its Family Strengthening program . In addition to brunch , the gathering featured a silent auction , music and awards presentation . Chi Cox , a Santa Ana Club alumna and senior vice president of City National Bank , received the Woman of Greatness Award for her support of the nonprofit . Irvine-based Edwards Lifesciences was honored with the Community Partner Award for its charitable support and volunteerism , helping to introduce club members to engineering and innovation . ( boysandgirlsclub . com ) ​ — Sharon Stello
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1 . Robert Santana , Bobbi Woodson , Veronica Coffie , Tom Callister , Marla Noel , Marcelo Brutti , Doug Ekizian , Jaril Tudio , Kristle Duran 2 . Top : Tania Goodfried , Catalina Botero , Seetha Nambiar , Connie Kahn , Doug Ekizian ; bottom : Caroline Surducan , Yordanka Martin , Ann Gallon , Karen Han 3 . Chi Nguyen Cox , Omar Azanki , Dale Smith Thomas 4 . Selina Mendez , Dale Smith Thomas 5 . Patricia Santamaria , Selina Mendez , Jeannette Garcia
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1 . Annette Walker , Dennis Kuhl 2 . Shannon Beador with guest 3 . Duane and Kelly Roberts 4 . Katherine Sears , Beverly Carl , Dr . Sumanta Kumar Pal , Jann Carl
LET ’ S BE FRANK ABOUT CANCER
More than $ 530,000 was raised at the ninth annual Let ’ s Be Frank About Cancer gala on March 18 for City of Hope Orange County ’ s cancer research and programs . The event , organized by philanthropist and cancer survivor Frank Di Bella , brought over 300 supporters to Balboa Bay Resort for a three-course dinner and other festivities . Since 2015 , the black-tie gala has garnered more than $ 9 million for City of Hope . Funds raised by the event will support research by City of Hope ’ s Dr . Sumanta “ Monty ” Kumar Pal , who treated Di Bella after he was diagnosed with metastatic bladder cancer in 2011 . Di Bella credits Pal for saving his life and has made it his personal mission to support City of Hope ’ s research . During the gala , the Frank Di Bella Humanitarian Award was presented to longtime supporters Duane and Kelly Roberts , who own The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa in Riverside . The couple announced a matching gift during a donation challenge that night , with more than $ 130,000 was raised . Jann Carl , a former “ Entertainment Tonight ” anchor and co-host of the breakout reality hit “ Small Town Big Deal ,” served as mistress of ceremonies . An auction included items like a trip to Hawaii , a diamond and blue topaz ring , and an autographed jersey from Angels baseball player Shohei Ohtani . The evening also featured live music — with 1970s hits to match the event ’ s disco theme . ( letsbefrankaboutcancer . org ) — S . S .
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TOP SECTION : COURTESY OF BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF CENTRAL ORANGE COAST ; BOTTOM SECTION : FRANK SALAS PHOTOGRAPHY
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