Winthrop's First Annual Black & White Ball

(L.-R.) Survivor Etai Klein of Rockville Centre; Samantha Sweeney of Garden City; and Melissa Jordan of Williston Park join WCBS radio's Sophia Hall and former CCK patient Thomas Kiesel.

Mineola, NY - The Cancer Center for Kids (CCK) at Winthrop-University Hospital hosted its first Black & White Ball on April 28, 2007 at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City. With over 400 people in attendance, the inaugural event was an overwhelming success, generating more than $300,000 for the Center's comprehensive Psychosocial Program, established to help the young patients and their families cope with the challenges of childhood cancer.

Marika and Alex Spizz of Manhasset, long-time supporters of the Cancer Center for Kids, were the honorees of the event. The Spizz's have been involved with Winthrop's CCK since the 1980's when their son Adam was treated there.

The Ball was emceed by WCBS radio's Sophia Hall, an enthusiastic supporter of Winthrop's CCK. A poignant, uplifting video that portrayed a typical day in the life of a child being treated at the Center and featured heartfelt interviews with parents was just one of the highlights of the evening. The festivities also included a silent auction as well as music and dancing by SPN Entertainment.

L.-R.) Dr. Mark Weinblatt joins Black &White Ball honorees Marika and Alex Spizz of Manhasset.

"The Black & White Ball was a great success thanks to the tremendous support from many people who went above and beyond to help with all aspects of its planning," said Linda Sweeney, Practice Manager for Winthrop's Cancer Center for Kids. "The response that we received from the local business community, patients and their families, and even people we didn't know was incredibly heart-warming and greatly appreciated."

The Ball would not have been possible without the generous support of the following sponsors: Matinee Sponsor Charlie's Champions Foundation; Silk & Satin Sponsor Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP; Top Hat Sponsors Bank of New York; Connie Bocklet; Matt and Joyce Calvin; Dermer Pharmacy & Surgical; Billy and Suzie Durand; Essential Electrical Corp.; Doug and Lynda Feeley; Five Towns Nissan; Steve Girgenti; Landmark Ventures; Peter and Liz Menges; Kenneth and Allison Partlow; Recycling & Communities Inc.; Harvey and Phyllis Sanders; Alex and Marika Spizz; Todtman, Nachamie, Spizz & Johns P.C. and United Healthcare; Black Tie Sponsors Alan and Cheryl Cohen and The Michael Magro Foundation; Invitation Underwriter Bob and Marge Rubin and Entertainment Underwriter Charlie's Champions Foundation.

Matinee Sponsors John Schmitt (left) and Tara Schmitt (right) of Charlie's Champions Foundation present Dr. Mark Weinblatt, MD, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Winthrop and Director of the CCK with a check for $25,000 from additional funds that they raised in support of the Center.

Also helping to make the event possible were Anthony Buono of RIT Printing, who generously donated production of the journal; Peter Riley of Graphic Paper, who provided the paper; Daryl Rosenblatt and Susan Miller, and Saul Miller, who placed journal entries on the inside front and back cover.

Winthrop's Cancer Center for Kids is a unique state-of-the-science center where children with cancer are given the best possible chance of recovery through superior medical care, constant nurturing and unconditional support in an environment that promotes healing.

Board members and friends of The Michael Magro Foundation join Terrie Magro (fourth from left) and Paul Magro (third from right) to show their support for Winthrop's Cancer Center for Kids.

For more information about the Cancer Center for Kids, contact Linda Sweeney at 516-663-9400 or visit www.winthrop.org.