Portland, OR. The Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) welcomed nearly 800 of their most passionate supporters on September 24th to the 16th annual Wonderball. Analia Earhart, CCA Board Member; Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and Chief Joy Officer; and Jani Iverson, VP, Stand for Children enjoyed the star-studded Havana-themed nightclub experience that raised more than $1.3 million to further CCA’s mission of delivering joy to seriously ill children and their families. Billed as ¡El Baile! (The Dance!), and presented by Regence BlueCross BlueShield, the evening celebrated the vibrant colors, sounds, flavors, and styles of 1950s Havana. (Photo credit, Megan Henson)
Mary and Andy Lytle, CCA Board Chair & Division VP of Western US, Jackson Family Wines
Jeff and Susie Perkins, Andrea Corradini, (CCA Board Member & Women’s Global Senior Footwear Product Director, Nike Sportwear) and David Brown
Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and Chief Joy Officer; Ron and Lynn Penner-Ash, Penner-Ash Wine Cellars; Pieter De Temmerman, CEO, Pacific Data Partners
Tony Starlight, The Starella Sisters and Melao de Cuba get the Havana nightclub-themed party started
Tanya Cerda and Sandy Boedecker, VP Special Projects, Nike
Party guests included Scott Burton, CCA Board Member and Director of Community & Business Relations for Presenting Sponsor – Regence BlueCross BlueShield; Mark Mantei, CEO, Vancouver Clinic; Angela Dowling, President, Regence BlueCross BlueShield; and Sam Burton.
Foundation; David Lucas, Executive Director, Maurice Lucas Foundation; and Kaylyn Jones, Nike
Michelle DeCourcy, CCA Ambassador Board Member and Fashion Designer; and Seann McKeel, MyMusicRx Champion & Creative Director, You Who Rock Show for Kids
Wonderball Lead Partner, Thrivent Mutual Funds fills a table.
Keynote speaker, John Grothe, is the head PGA professional at Willamette Valley Golf Club. His family was served by CCA in 2014.
Chris Funk, The Decemberists; Abby Guyer, CCA VP of Brand; Andy Lytle, CCA Board Chair and Division VP – Western US Jackson Family Wines
Paul Schneider, owner, TWIST; Clare Hamill, CCA Founding Board Chair and VP Global Growth Initiatives, Nike; Doug Fish, President, Fish Marketing; and Morgan Dance
Wonderball Celebration Partner, Alaska Airlines was in the house. Pictured are Sana Gebarin (Horizon Air), Susie Desmond, Liz Skayhan (Alaska Airlines), Lou Ames (Horizon Airlines), Brad Lambert (Horizon Air), Gabby Lambert, Kaylyn Jones (Nike), and David Lucas (Maurice Lucas Foundation)
Katherine Durham, CCA Board Member and Chief Marketing Officer and VP, Individual Disability Insurance, The Standard; and Brad Durham
Latin American singer and songwriter, Edna Vasquez, along with Melao de Cuba, close out the evening
Albert Menashe, CCA Board Member, Co-Founder and Senior Shareholder, Gevurtz and Menashe; Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and Chief Joy Officer; and Michael Preisz, President & Founder, Preisz Financial
Sarah and Cedric Berry; Allison Clarke, CCA Ambassador Board Co-Chair, President, Allison Clarke Consulting; and Todd Dickens
Guests were treated to live music from Son de Cuba, classic cars on display from the Portland Roadster Show, and Cuban-themed food and drink. Tony Starlight, ¡El Baile! nightclub host, channeled Desi Arnaz for a festive conga solo and, along with dancers The Starella Sisters, introduced high energy performances from Melao de Cuba Orquesta, tap dancer Tony Palomino, salsa dancers Jennie Fremont & Rob Hilario, and a special guest appearance by Latin American singer-songwriter, Edna Vazquez, to close out the night.
From CCA:
“For 21 years CCA’s programs have been provided at no cost and today, we serve over 20,000 kids and their families annually,” said Regina Ellis, Founder and Chief Joy Officer of the Children’s Cancer Association in her address. “Make no mistake. With the power of JOY, we are out to change the world.”
Portland, September 27th, 2014. CCA’s 14th Annual Hero Gala was dubbed an evening of romp & circumstance,. The event rocked the Oregon Convention Center to the tune of $1.16 million with a star-studded crowd. More than 850 guests were entertained by the likes of The Decemberists, Patrick Lamb, Ural Thomas with Ragen Fykes and Moorea Masa, Luz Elana and Tiburones, March Fourth Marching Band, Wanderlust Circus, Sneakin’ Out, and Nu Shooz. Taylor and her Chemo Pal mentor, Alyssa Willamson, were shining bright with their beautiful face paintings.
Dr. Janice Olson, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Program, Randall Children’s Hospital at Legacy Emanuel, Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and CEO, and CCA Board Member, Andrea Corradini, Senior Merchandising Director, Emerging Markets Running, Nike, Inc., get into the spirit of the playful night.
Former Portland Trail Blazer, Terry Porter, Suzie Porter, CCA Board Chair, Andy Lytle, and Mary Lytle.
Nike’s Tinker Hatfield, Vice President, Design & Special Projects, and CCA Chemo Pal mentor and longtime supporter, David Brown, Merchandise Director, NIKE Inc.
The Wanderlust Circus entertained Gala goers throughout the entire Wonderball.
Portland Trail Blazer, Steve Blake, and his wife, Kristen, longtime supporters of CCA.
Artist Rochelle Carr with CCA Ambassador Board Member, Bryce Amato, posing in front of Rochelle’s wall of cheerful and thoughtful artwork.
Regina Ellis, CCA Founder and CEO, with Chris Funk, from The Decemberists and Black Prairie.
Paul Gulick, CCA Board Chair Emeritus, Co-Founder, In-Focus, Founder, Clarity Visual Systems, and Michelle Decourcy of Michelle Decourcy Collection.
Dynamic duo Valerie Day and John Smith, aka Nu Shooz, get Wonderball guests off their feet with a live performance of their Billboard Top 100 song that spent 15 weeks in the Top 40 in 1986 – “ I Can’t Wait.”
Chemo Pal mentor, George Mollas and his mentee, Nicholas, celebrating the occasion in style.
Members of The Decemberists, Patrick Lamb, Ural Thomas with Ragen Fykes and Moorea Masa, Luz Elana and Tiburones, March Fourth Marching Band, Wanderlust Circus, Sneakin’ Out, and Nu Shooz goofing off during rehearsal for the Wonderball.
CCA Founder’s Society member, Marsha Brockmeyer, celebrates with CCA VP Brand, Abby Guyer.
The sign says it all 14th Annual CCA Hero Gala: Wonderball!
Opus Events Agency CEO and CCA Board Member, Grant Hammersley, with CCA Board Member Tim Cooper, Senior Vice President, Brown & Brown Northwest.
The Decemberists front man, Colin Meloy, serenades Wonderball guests with the help of bandmates, Jenny Conlee and Chris Funk (not pictured), and the March 4th Marching Band.
Jennifer and Jeff Nyburg, Wonderball Presenting Sponsors Angela and CS Sheffield, and Wesley Sheffield.
Jordan Roquemore, Beaverton High School Marching Tech, leads members of the Beaverton Marching Ensemble, in a rousing rendition of “When the Saints Go Marching In” to transition revelers to the Portland Ballroom for the evening’s program.
CCA Board Member, Andrea Corradini, Senior Merchandising Director, Emerging Markets Running, Nike, Inc., and Cholee Thompson, Owner and President, Ryan Artists, share a ballerina/fairy bonding moment.
“We invited our best friends to “come out and play with CCA” and that they did. We are blown away by their generosity and so grateful they stand united with us in the belief that JOY MATTERS for seriously ill kids, teens, and their families.” said Regina Ellis, Founder and CEO of CCA.
Portland, February 14th, 2014. It was the most successful Valentine’s Day fundraiser for the Children’s Cancer Association (CCA) with $670,000 pledged and counting. Donations will help seriously ill kids, teens, and their families. CCA organizers say, “We are honored and humbled by this outpouring of generosity and love.” KPTV FOX12 Oregon’s Amy Troy, CCA Founder and CEO, Regina Ellis, and KPTV’s Shauna Parsons bonded in the studio during the Valentine-A-Thon.
CCA staff members Angela Long, Christina Heesacker, Meg Byrtek, Nicole MacDonald, Jenny O’Brian, Sierra Smith, Regina Ellis, Katy Moore (The BUZZ), Dave Schaeffer, Kacy Smerke, Cheryl Kanekoa, and Willow Bacon. Top row: CCA staff members Greg Pokarney, Nonda Hanneman, The BUZZ’s Mitch, KPTV’s Mark Nelsen and Corey Hansen, The Buzz’s Daria, KPTV’s Shauna Parsons and Amy Troy, The BUZZ’s Ted, Brian, and Kent, and CCA’s Diana Szymczak.
Director of Marketing at Dick Hannah Dealerships, Kent Van Arnam, Ryland, Caden (who picked the winning raffle ticket), and Blake, and KPTV’s Mark Nelsen.
KPTV’s Pete Ferryman, Tony Martinez, Andy Carson, CCA’s Regina Ellis, KPTV’s Kimberly Maus, and CCA Board Chair, Andy Lytle, Division Vice President, Estates – West, Jackson Family Wines.
Nike’s Vice President for Design and Special Projects, Tinker Hatfield and CCA Board Member, Andrea Corradini, Nike Senior Merchandising Director, Emerging Markets, Running, captained a man vs. woman donation challenge for CCA raising more than $110,000! They are pictured here flanking KPTV’s Amy Troy.
Many friends came together to donate their time and talent to create this milestone:Daria, Mitch, Ted, and the rest of the crew at 105.1 The BUZZ
Melissa Maag and CCA Ambassador Board Member, Allison Clarke, President, Allison Clarke Consulting, rally the phone bank volunteers.
CCA Ambassador Board Members Sabrina Snow, Vice President, Washington Trust Bank, and Jenifer Nelles, National Accounts Consultant, Standard Insurance Company
WayneGarciaFox12 KPTV’s Wayne Garcia encouges viewers to become a King or Queen of Hearts by making a $1,000 donation to CCA.
Melissa Maag and CCA Ambassador Board Member, Allison Clarke, President, Allison Clarke Consulting, rally the phone bank volunteers.
ThompsonsKingAndQueen (left to right) Former CCA-served parents and long-time CCA supporters Mike and Wendy Thompson manned the phone bank, taking donations from the community. Mike’s stack of five hats represents a $5,000 donation!
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