Apr 9, 2007

Fit for Life heads for tropics

Janet Duca Norton / Daily News

An island resort with Tiki gods, palm trees, a waterfall and bright flower blooms was re-created at the Hotel Sofitel in Redwood Shores for the second annual "Fit for Life Goes To the Tropics" benefit, presented by the Palo Alto-based Community Breast Health Project.

An inspiring fashion show featuring 30 breast cancer survivors and a Jazzercise routine with audience participation were highlights of the March 17 dinner auction.

More than 200 guests, dressed in vacation casual outfits, joined celebrity emcee Rene Brooks-Moon, radio personality and voice of the Giants, for the fitness-themed event. Clever, brightly colored flip-flop invitations and a cocktail hour featuring steel drum entertainment launched the memorable salute and celebration of life and fitness.

Co-chairs Karen Nierenberg and Katie Kane were thrilled the evening raised more than $280,000 for Community Breast Health Project programs. Founder Jill Freidenrich summed it up, saying, "Gratitude goes to all of CBHP's friends and community partners, whose generosity in supporting Fit for Life helps ensure that CBHP's programs and services will continue to provide the necessary support our breast cancer community so desperately needs."

The fast-paced show featured fashions from Calla, 4 Clothing, Chico's, Talbots, Harolds, and Lucy at Stanford Shopping Center.

Women in the group had been diagnosed with breast cancer between the ages of 28 and 79. Model Mary-Helen McMahon said, "It was amazing to see the power of women to overcome a profoundly frightening, confusing, overwhelming disease at all the ages and stages of a woman's life."

Leading the applause were Community Breast Health Project founder Freidenrich and her husband John, Jeri Fink and Jim Baer, Dianne and Tad Taube, Judy and George Lucas, Jeanne and Leo Ware, Board President Anne Ream and her husband Christopher, Hilary Valentine, Ann Sonnenberg and Santa Clara County Supervisors Liz Kniss.

Donors to the Fund-A-Need auction had a chance to win one of five Tiffany & Co. door prizes. When Don Listwin won a silver mesh necklace and promptly put it up for auction, Pete Sinclair made the winning bid.

Community Breast Health Project's mission is to improve the lives of people touched by breast cancer. Founded in 1993, the Project is client-centered and committed to providing services free of charge. More than 300 volunteers, including 50 physicians, help provide information, comfort and support.