2015 Dinner in White benefiting Colorado Cancer Center

National Geographic photographer and CBS Sunday Morning contributor Joel Sartore provided a lively and entertaining view of his wildlife photographs and the sense of humor that has kept he and his family’s spirits up despite the shadow of cancer in their lives.

Sartore reminded the audience that cancer is a time thief and a wake up call. Sartore, whose wife and son both successfully battled the disease in recent years shared his experiences with some 200 guests at this year’s event held Saturday, August 8 at Sculpture Park between the Denver Center for the Performing Arts and Speer Boulevard.

“It’s an opportunity to set things right, to concentrate on living. To pay attention,” says Sartore, keynote speaker for the annual Dinner in White outdoor event benefiting the University of Colorado Cancer Center.

Under a cloudy but rain-free late afternoon the event featured live music, french pastries, preserves and macarons, cotton candy, and dancing till almost midnight. Sartore has spent 20 years photographing endangered species and landscapes around the world. He provided a light-hearted and entertaining slideshow of his career, family life and their unique sense of humor as they have confronted and battled the disease on and off since 2005.

The University of Colorado Cancer Center is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center serving Colorado, and one of just 41 in the United States. The CU Cancer Center is also one of 25 elite members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, setting the gold standard in terms of national and international guidelines for clinical practice in oncology.