Cancer Support Community’s STORIES OF HOPE Gala Honors Volunteer Lillian Bolozky, Dr. Burton Needles and Moneta Group Charitable Foundation
St. Louis, Mo. — (July 23, 2015) Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis (CSC) will present its prestigious Marsha Wolff and Tina Borchert Inspiration Award to Individual Honoree Lillian Bolozky, Physician Honoree, Dr. Burton Needles and Corporate honoree, Moneta Group Charitable Foundation, at its annual gala, STORIES OF HOPE.
This distinction has been bestowed to those who have been leaders in our community and have made a significant impact to families affected by cancer. This year’s honorees are:
Individual Honoree: Lillian Bolozky
Lillian Bolozky, known to many as “Bubbles”, is a native St. Louisan who grew up in University City. Lillian and her husband Jack have been married for 56 years and are blessed with daughter Nancy, son Scott, his wife Suzie, granddaughter Caitlyn, her fiance Alex Garibay and great granddaughter Adelaide. After their children were born, Lillian worked as a stay at home mom while Jack worked as a travelling jewelry salesman. After raising their children, Lillian, Jack and their business partner started their own gold earring business, Erica Jewelry. Lillian was the backbone of the company and well known in the jewelry industry. She held the title of the first woman president of the Retail Jewelers Organization, Vendor Board of Directors. She traveled regularly and had an intricate role in the design of many of the earring styles. After 25 years of business, it was time to retire and start the next chapter of giving back to the community. Lillian began volunteering at Cancer Support Community in 2006 and is an essential and irreplaceable volunteer sharing her skills and loveliness with staff and members alike. Lillian understood first-hand what many of the CSC members go through as she was a five year lung cancer survivor when she began her volunteer work and was diagnosed again in 2013 and 2015 with lung cancer. She understands now more than ever how important it is to make a difference in the lives of people living with cancer.
Physician Honoree: Dr. Burton Needles
Dr. Burton Needles’ career as a Medical Oncologist/Hematologist spans more than thirty years. Prior to coming to St Louis, he was a Research Fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Loyola University in Chicago. At Mercy Hospital-St. Louis, he was Chairman of the Division of Oncology and Medical Director of the David C. Pratt Cancer Center where he established the multidisciplinary cancer program. He was the Director of Mercy Hospice Program and served as Associate Principal Investigator for the St. Louis Community Clinical Oncology Program, one of the first community oncology programs funded by the National Cancer Institute for clinical research. He was also Clinical Assistant Professor at Washington University School of Medicine.
He has been active on both state and national levels, serving as; the Missouri Representative for the Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee; Councilor, American College of Physicians Credentials Committee-State of Missouri; President of the St. Louis Society of Medical Oncology; and a member of the Professional Advisory Board of the Cancer Support Community since inception.
He has received awards from the American Cancer Society including Outstanding Clinician and for Professional Education. His clinical and research interests are in the field of Urologic Oncology. Mercy Hospital recently named its Patient Cancer Care Assistance Fund in his honor. He is also a cancer survivor. He retired from active practice in 2014.
Corporate Honoree: Moneta Group Charitable Foundation
Having been a part of St. Louis for more than 140 years, Moneta Group embraces its responsibility to support the St. Louis community. In addition to their own personal involvement in numerous charities, Moneta principals furthered their commitment to philanthropy by establishing the Moneta Group Charitable Foundation in 1999.
All funding for the Foundation comes directly from Moneta principals and staff. By 2009, the Foundation grew to more than $1.5 million in assets, surpassing its goal of $1 million for community reinvestment. Today, its assets continue to grow and its grants continue to make a difference in the community.
The Moneta Group Charitable Foundation provides funding for organizations and programs through its internal volunteer initiative Moneta Momentum. Outside grant and assistance requests are not accepted, rather, employees passionate about a cause or organization can rally their colleagues, organize a volunteer event and petition the Foundation for a financial gift on behalf of the organization they champion.
The Moneta Group Charitable Foundation has been a valued and top supporter of Cancer Support Community’s STEPS FOR HOPE Walk for seven years.
ABOUT THE STORIES OF HOPE GALA
The STORIES OF HOPE gala is CSC’s signature fundraiser. The event is chaired by young adult cancer survivor, Huffington Post Blogger, and award winning film, television, and radio personality Dan Duffy. This year’s gala theme is inspired by Cancer Support Community’s writing classes, which through the creative process of writing, provide comfort, control and the power of finding one’s voice again. Sharing one’s story provides hope for others in the community.
The gala will take place Saturday, September 12, 2015 at The Ritz-Carlton. The evening commences at 6:30 p.m. with a cocktail reception and silent auction. Dinner, live auction, award ceremony and entertainment follow at 7:30 p.m. All funds raised from the STORIES OF HOPE Gala remain in the greater St. Louis area for the benefit of people in our community living with cancer.
For reservations and information contact Angie Wiseman, Development Director at Cancer Support Community, 314-238-2000, ext 235.
ABOUT CANCER SUPPORT COMMUNITY OF GREATER ST. LOUIS
Cancer Support Community of Greater St. Louis is a non-profit organization whose mission is to ensure that all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community to enhance their overall well-being. All programs are offered at no charge in a comfortable, home-like environment. Cancer Support Community offers professionally-led support groups, educational workshops, nutrition and exercise programs, and stress-reduction classes to empower and educate individuals affected by cancer. For more information, visit www.cancersupportstl.org or call 314-238-2000.
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