Winners from left to right: Aileen Broner, Ramy Saad (standing), and Donna Dicrescento with the night’s final dealer.

Winners from left to right: Aileen Broner, Ramy Saad (standing), and Donna Dicrescento with the night’s final dealer.

Legacy Event Raises $130,000 for GIST Research

The twelfth annual Night to Fight Cancer to benefit The Life Raft Group’s research programs for GIST was an overwhelming success. Held at Manny Cantor Center on September 17, 2015, LRG Board President Jerry Cudzil once again hosted this successful event to raise money and awareness for GIST research and in loving memory of his father-in-law, Bill Roth. Jerry began hosting Night to Fight Cancer in 2004 after Bill was diagnosed with the disease. Bill passed away in 2008 and Jerry continues to hold this event in his honor and to support others with GIST.

Jerry shared why this event is so important to him: “Every year, I am overwhelmed by the support of everyone who comes to Night to Fight Cancer. There are many worthy causes, and the fact that so many come to the event means the world to me. I moved to Los Angeles three years ago, and now the night is not only a way to support the cause and to honor Bill’s memory, but also has become a time for a reunion with old friends and a chance to express my thanks to everyone who gives up their night for me and the cause. I want everyone to know I am truly grateful, not just for the financial support, but for the time spent at the event. I know everyone’s time is extremely valuable, and I am thankful for each and every person who has offered their support. I want to end with a quote that I recently read: ‘Your legacy is not something that gets tacked on at the end, but is something that you write each and every day.’”

Over 130 people participated in the Night to Fight Cancer, raising almost $130,000 for the LRG. Participants and guests enjoyed great food and cocktails in this relaxing setting with breathtaking views.

The addition of blackjack for those not playing in the tournament added to the evening’s excitement.

Competition was fierce with the winners of the night, Aileen Broner, Ramy Saad and Donna Dicrescento, knocking out the other competitors in this friendly but heated tournament.

LRG Executive Director, Norman Scherzer accepts a generous donation from Jose Murado of Investors Bank, one of our sponsors.

LRG Executive Director, Norman Scherzer accepts a generous donation from Jose Murado of Investors Bank, one of our sponsors.

Our special award winners were Tim Brennan who was the first to knockout Jerry Cudzil, Michael Cudzil who was the first to knockout last year’s winner Brian Behrens and Harilaos Hristoforatos who tried the hardest to knockout both players. Other accolades go to Henji Cheung, Matthew McBride, Pat Coleman, Brian Brennan and DJ Tierany. Congratulations to all the winners and participants.

A special thank you goes out to our corporate sponsors, especially our Diamond Sponsor, Tradeweb Markets who donated $15,000; our Club Sponsors who donated $10,000 each, including Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Morgan Stanley, Pfizer and RBC; and our Heart’s sponsors, Investors Bank and Natixis, who both donated $5,000. A special thanks goes out to Credit Suisse for its generous matching gift. In addition, our friend, Lyon Carter III, was our beverage sponsor, Kim Tallau of Innovative Images donated her professional photography services, and our awards donors were Murray Rosenthal, Nicholas Chiara and Darryl Nowak.

We look forward to everyone joining us next year. For more information on how to get on the mailing list, email us at dnieves@liferaftgroup.org or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NighttoFightCancerLRG