The Richardson Regional Medical Center Foundation has received a Gold level sponsorship of $10,000 from Ericsson for its annual fundraising gala to be held on Saturday, November 1, 2008 at the Westin Galleria Dallas. An anonymous donor also has contributed $48,000 to help sponsor the event. The news was celebrated at a kick-off party hosted by Underwriting Co-Chair Karl Chiao and his wife, Catherine, at their University Park home.

Adding to the excitement, organizers have unveiled this year’s new name for the gala, Yellow and Black Tie Gala, to highlight one of the hospital’s major initiatives.“

We wanted yellow to be part of the theme this year to promote cancer awareness and the upcoming opening of the new Richardson Regional Cancer Center,” said gala chair Suzanne Bock of Dallas. The new Cancer Center, an affiliate of UT Southwestern Medical Center, will be opening in October at the hospital’s Bush/Renner Campus to serve Richardson, Wylie, Sachse, Murphy and surrounding communities.

Bock, a member of the Richardson Regional Foundation board and owner of Interphil LLC, a philanthropic and wealth management consulting firm, is passionate about this cause because she was caregiver to a close friend who passed away from leukemia two years ago.

“We traveled long distances for specialized treatment, so I know first-hand how difficult it is to leave home when you are faced with this devastating illness,” said Bock. “I’m honored to be involved with Richardson Regional’s efforts to provide advanced cancer care right here at home.”

Proceeds from the Yellow and Black Tie Gala will not only support the new CancerCenter, but also support other medical technology, research and clinical programs at the hospital. Last year’s gala netted more than $163,000 and was attended by more than 500 area civic and business leaders.

Plano residents Ed Kelly and Linda Armstrong Kelly are serving as this year’s honorary chairs. The couple has devoted their volunteer efforts to help fight cancer and improve medical care available locally. They also are honorary co-chairs of the Foundation’s capital campaign, “Cancer Should Not Have the Last Word.”

Mr. Kelly is president of the Foundation Board of Directors. A former IBM executive, he currently serves as Director of Sales for PHNS, a Dallas based company that provides information technology and business office services to hospitals. Ms. Kelly, mother of seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, is an activist, author and motivational speaker. She currently serves on the Richardson Hospital Authority Board. 

The Yellow and Black Tie Gala will feature a cocktail reception, seated dinner, live entertainment and live and silent auctions. Sponsorships, tables of 10, and individual gala tickets, which cost $150 each, are available by calling the Foundation at (972) 498-7678. All sponsorships receive recognition in the Gala program and other promotional opportunities. For more details, visit www.yellowandblacktiegala.com.