Wednesday, March 17, 2010

EI breaks out snowshoes and bubbly

Dinner and auction to benefit breast cancer research


By SABINA DANA PLASSE
Express Staff Writer

From left, Josh Wells, Leroy Kingland, Erika Whittaker, Peter Whittaker and Steve Myers at the 2009 Twilight Snowshoe event. Photo by

Celebrating accomplishments toward eradicating breast cancer, the Wood River Valley's Expedition Inspiration Fund for Breast Cancer Research will hold its Twilight Snowshoe Dinner and Auction on Sunday, March 21, at The Valley Club north of Hailey. Tickets are $85. Activities begin at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m.

The evening will feature a snowshoe hike, a champagne bubble bar and a full dinner prepared by chef Mike Diem. The Elephant's Perch will provide guests with snowshoes and Cline Cellars will supply cocktails and wine.

The silent auction will include an array of items and a live auction will look for high bidders for a seven-night stay at a luxury beachfront villa in Cabo Pulmo, Mexico, a Mackay hideaway fishing excursion and a sporting clay day on a private ranch with national champions Mari and Gary McStay. In addition, the evening will include a 50/50 raffle. Raffle tickets are $10 and the more tickets sold the bigger the winnings. One winner will get half the raffle money and the other half will go to Expedition Inspiration.

The evening will also include entertainment by award-winning songwriter Steve Eaton. Eaton has written songs for the Carpenters, the 5th Dimension, Lee Greenwood and Art Garfunkle. Eaton is an Emmy-nominated songwriter and his platinum-selling songs for the Carpenters include "All You Get From Love Is a Love Song." Those sung by Art Garfunkel include "Rag Doll." He has also written songs recorded by Anne Murray, Glenn Campbell and the Righteous Brothers. He was a member of Paul Revere and the Raiders early in his career, and he has opened for and shared the stage with many well-known artists including Ray Charles, Carole King and Blood, Sweat and Tears.

The Twilight Snowshoe benefit comes on the heels of the Expedition Inspiration 14th annual Laura Evans Memorial Breast Cancer Symposium and Open Forum, which took place in Sun Valley from Feb. 17-21. Breast cancer research scientists from around the world attended the symposium, "New Targets for Breast Cancer Therapy."

"I was able to ask specific questions on Friday, which will change the way I practice, and perhaps save a few lives," said Ketchum physician Dr. Scott McLean, who attended the symposium. He was Laura Evans' internist through her fight with breast cancer. "If given the opportunity, and three months notice, I will push for more med staff attendance. It's truly an extraordinary opportunity."

Suzanne Pere Mulenos, co-chair of the board of directors of Expedition Inspiration, said this benefit attracts people from all sectors because breast cancer affects everyone.

"One in eight women are affected by breast cancer," Mulenos said. "We are so very close to a cure, and we cannot stop now, no matter the economy."

Money raised from the benefit will support the annual Laura Evans Memorial Breast Cancer Symposium, founded in Sun Valley, and its Young Investigator Award grants. For details, visit expeditioninspiration.org or call 726-6456.

Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com




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