Broadcast icon Larry King will be honored with the True Grit Award on April 14th, 2007. Benefiting the John Wayne Cancer Institute at St John’s Health Center, King will receive this honor at the 22nd annual Odyssey Ball held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
The True Grit Award was created for those with “uncompromising integrity and a commitment to the values of our great country.” According to Patrick Wayne, Chairman of the Board of the John Wayne Cancer Institute and son of the late actor, “Larry King epitomizes the strengths and qualities that characterized my father, and for which the True Grit Award was created.” King joins last year’s winner Nancy Reagan as a recipient of this honor.
With “The Cure is in the Cards” theme, actress, author and activist Jamie Lee Curtis will host the casino style black tie event. Having raised over $14 million since it’s inception, this event has continually supported the John Wayne Cancer Institute’s life-saving cancer research and treatment programs.
In addition to an evening of Las Vegas-style glamour and gaming, the Odyssey Ball will feature an auction with a cavalcade of exciting prizes. Furthermore, a Special Opportunity Drawing will take place with a hunter green 2007 special edition Mini Cooper being raffled off. With only 500 tickets being sold, odds are high of winning the South Bay BMW donated convertible.
Established in 1982, The Odyssey Ball is organized by the John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary. This year’s co-chairs include Teddi Gilderman and Andrea Nelson Kopald, whose mothers founded the Auxiliary, as well as Shirley Lipstone, former president.
The Ball will also recognize Joyce Green, Senior Vice President of Business Development for the Institute. Green will receive a Special Service Award, affectionately called The Duke. This award is presented to an individual who has made extraordinary and lasting contributions in the fight against cancer, or has demonstrated their humanitarian spirit within the community.
For information on attending this event or supporting the Institute’s fundraising efforts, go to www.jwci.org or call (310)829-8324 .
