Even as cold rain showers were turning to snow and a dire blizzard warning loomed over the evening, guests at the 42nd annual Men’s Event rallied. Man’s game, people. On Monday, Nov. 16, nearly 175 men arrived at Elway’s looking positively dapper and festive, ready for a terrific evening to support the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Hearty handshakes, conversation and good cheer remained constant throughout the casual, sophisticated event.
The evening began with an informative cancer briefing by a panel of experts: Thomas Flaig, M.D.; Paul Maroni, M.D.; Scott Cramer, Ph.D.; and Thomas J. Pugh, M.D. An hour-and-a-half cocktail reception with passed hors d’oeuvres primed guests for a sumptuous steak-and-lobster dinner created by Elway’s chefs. Emcee Les Shapiro, also a committee member, kept his eye on the clock and the weather forecast, presiding over prize giveaways for lucky recipients and a live auction of competitive bidders.
The Men’s Event has become an institution in the philanthropic community and increased awareness of cancers specific to men, while supporting research to increase quality of life and survival rates. Funds raised through the event remain local, benefiting cancer research programs at the University of Colorado Cancer Center.
The University of Colorado Cancer Center at the Anschutz Medical Campus is Colorado’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, a distinction recognizing its outstanding contributions to research, clinical trials, prevention and cancer control. CU Cancer Center’s clinical partner, University of Colorado Hospital, is ranked 15th by US News and World Report for cancer, and the CU Cancer Center is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network®, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers working to establish and deliver the gold standard in cancer clinical guidelines.
CU Cancer Center is a consortium of more than 400 researchers and physicians at three state universities and three institutions, all working toward one goal: Translating science into life. Its consortium structure has made a significant impact on cancer treatment and survivorship locally, such as higher five-year survival rates than statewide and national averages for several cancer types–including cancers of the prostate, breast and lung. For more information, please visit: ColoradoCancerCenter.org, and follow CU Cancer Center on Facebook and Twitter.
Committee member John Fuller (left) and co-chair Gary Kortz
(l to r): Jim Levanthal, Larry Mizel and Dean Singleton
Matt Mills (left) and Mike Mills
Grabbing an appetizer at the reception
Dr. Matthew Baker (left) and Tim Morris
Ren Cannon (left) and CU-Anschutz chancellor/co-chair Don Elliman
(l to r): Ren Cannon, Don Elliman and Carl Fitch
At the cancer briefing (l to r): co-chair Gary Kortz, Dr. Thomas Flaig, Dr. Paul Maroni and Scott Cramer
Guests listen to the cancer-briefing panel members.
Committee member John Fiedler (left) and Georges Thiret
(l to r): Chip Simmons, David Bussey and Chris Kolker
Jesse Kajer (left) and Vijay Subbarao
Rick Door (left) and Jim Renshaw
Theo Gregory at the cocktail reception
(l to r): Mark Bomber, Peter McKown and Brian Brody
(l to r): Greg Densen, Stuart kritzer, Ross Thompson and Dan Rich
Ready for a manly meal
Bruno Darre (left) and Davis Butler
Theo Gregory (left) and Lee Dailey
Mark Epstein (left) and Chad Lieberman
(l to r): Alan Stein, with committee members Don Kortz and John Fuller
(l to r): Ellen Robinson, Patrice Anderson and Tara Dunn
Greeters at the reception desk
(l to r): John Robison, Mark Richards, Brian Pauls, committee member Brian Wilkinson and co-chair Steven Toltz
Enjoying the cocktail reception
Committee member Jeremy Kinney (left) and Jim Leventhal
Steve Demby (left) and committee member Josh Hanfling
Ron Vaughn (standing) and Hank Robinson
(l to r): Greg Stults, Thomas Stahl, committee member Patrick Lee, Brian Brentenwischer and Richard Hughes
Cocktails and conversation
The event was held at Elway’s in Cherry Creek.
Pre-dinner conversations
Brad Levin (left) and Adam Margolin
(l to r): Michael Touff, committee member Blair Richardson, David Mandarich and Peter Wells
(l to r): Ed Bliezner, Mike Mills, Tyrone James, Matt Mills and Stuart Koltzer
Scott Arthur (left) and Stephen Hart
(l to r): Dr. Brian Kavanaugh, Dr. Thomas Pugh and Jeffrey Hirschfeld
Peter Koclanes (left) and Alan Stein
Even high heels can’t help. Tall men in a crowded room required tippy-toe photos from the women onsite.
The coat-and-umbrella check: Samantha Holstein and John Zubak
Committee member Ken Jones (left) and Jeff Peterson
Making a point at the reception
Mark Kochevar, of the CU Cancer Center
The menu incorporated men’s favorites.
Colleen Miller and emcee/committee member Les Shapiro
The group prepares to be seated for dinner.
Committee member Roger Hutson and Eunice Kim
It’s the calm before the storm with these Elway’s servers.
Finishing up a conversation before dinner
One last handshake before dinner
Emcee Les Shapiro is greeted by a guest before dinner.
Don M. Elliman, Jr.,
Chancellor for the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
Dan Theodorescu, M.D., Ph.D, director of University of Colorado Cancer Center
Guests enjoyed a relaxing dinner.
Dinner conversation
Greeting old friends and colleagues
Scrumptious food is served.
The $750-per-person event merited taking over Elway’s for the evening.
Honorary Co-Chair: John Elway; Co-Chairs: Jim Basey, Ernie Blake, Donald M. Elliman, Robert C. Kaufman, Chris Kolker, Gary S. Kortz, Robert J. Malone, Richard L. Robinson, Steven D. Toltz
Executive Director:
Dan Theodorescu, MD, PhD, CU Cancer Center executive director
Committee Members:
Ronald Abreu, Gary Antonoff, Adam Agron, Matt Baldner, Rick Brown, Norm Brownstein, Steve Farber, John Fiedler, John Fuller Jr., John Fuller Sr., Theo Gregory, Dr. John Grossman, Josh Hanfling, Barry Hirschfeld, Roger Hutson, Walter Isenberg, Ken Jones, Mark Jones, Jeremy Kinney, Don Kortz, Dr. Denis Lanier, Patrick Lee, Marc Levine, Dr. Dvid Opperman, David Palmer, Michael Pollak, Blair Richardson, Eddie Robinson, Jeffrey Robinson, Steve Rosdal, Les Shapiro, Tim Taggart, Michael Thiret, Richard Wham, Brian Wilkinson,
Speaker:
Cancer briefing panel: Thomas Flaig, MD; Paul Maroni, MD; Scott Cramer, PhD; Thomas J. Pugh, MD
Sponsors:
Dependable Cleaners, Sherman & Howard LLC, MidFirst Bank, Christopher Lee Financial LLC, Centennial Bank, Cherry Creek Shopping Center
Menu:
Caesar salad, 8-oz. filet and lobster tail, au gratin potatoes, brussels sprout hash, seriously chocolate cake
Attendance:
175
Attire:
Business formal
Information:
http://www.cucancercenterfund.org/
Ticket Prices:
$750/individual
Event Coordinator:
Ellen Robinson
Board of Directors:
External Advisory Board: James Abbruzzese, MD; Stephen Baylin, MD; Michael Becich, MD, PhD; Christopher Counter, PhD; Olivera Finn, PhD; Anna Giuliano, PhD; Judith Goldberg, MD, Dirk Inglehart, MD; Thomas O'Leary, PhD; David Poplack, MD; Frank Torti, MD; Zena Werb, PhD; George Wilding, MD; Cheryl Willman, MD; Ignacio Wistuba, MD