The Bonnie J. Addario Lung Cancer Foundation

In this traditional season of giving and gratefulness, I am delighted to report that we continue to make monumental strides in our efforts to eradicate Lung Cancer. The third annual Simply the Best Dinner Gala was a celebration of giving to our cause. Thanks to your efforts and generosity, the event drew a packed house of 650 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in San Francisco and raised over $800,000. A special THANK YOU to Kayce Freed Jennings and Lynn Sherr, guests of honor, who helped us pay tribute to the life and legacy of Peter Jennings, the ABC anchor of “World News Tonight,” who battled Lung Cancer with the same intensity, sense of humor and passionate spirit he brought to sharing the world’s events with us for decades. Thanks to them-and you-we continue to raise the profile of and gain global awareness for Lung Cancer.

I believe we’ve reached a critical moment in our foundation’s efforts to unite global forces in the effort to eradicate Lung Cancer. We’re looking ahead to 2009.

THERE IS NO BETTER TIME OF THE YEAR TO EXPRESS OUR GRATITUDE TO OUR SUPPORTERS, OUR FRIENDS, OUR SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

With Love,
Bonnie J. Addario

“Gratitude is not only the greatest of all virtues, but the parent of all others.” – Marcus Tullius Cicero

P.S. For those of you who were not at the Gala and in the words of Ernest Hemmingway, remember…“The world BREAKS everyone and afterward…many are strong in the broken places.”

A Gala Evening of Giving
In the spirit of the season, 650 people from across the country and globe joined us at the Ritz Carlton in San Francisco on Nov. 15, 2008 for the Third Annual Simply the Best Dinner Gala.

It was described as an evening of “great triumph” raising much needed funding for Lung Cancer research.

The Gala’s guests of honor, Kayce Freed Jennings, wife of Peter Jennings, and colleague Lynn Sherr, helped us pay tribute to another friend who, sadly, was stricken with Lung Cancer and became one of it’s victims, leaving the world too early-Peter Jennings.

“Simply The Best Dinner Gala was … SIMPLY THE BEST. It was smart, energetic and ambitious-exactly the traits necessary to beat Lung Cancer -and it reflected the values and passion of the organization. My husband, Peter, who shared those values would have considered it an honor to be part of such a meaningful occasion-as did I.”-Kayce Freed Jennings

Again this year, Cheryl Jennings, ABC 7 news anchor and friend of the foundation did an extraordinary job emceeing the evening. Earlier this month, she shined the spotlight on our efforts in this news report. Click here to view.

“People will be talking about it for some time because it SIMPLY WAS THE BEST,” said Barry Katzmann of the San Francisco Chronicle.

“Everyone at the gala was deeply moved by your bravery, generosity and huge efforts in the work with the Lung Cancer foundation. You brought all these great people around the world together to fight Lung Cancer. It’s huge. Thank you, Bonnie, and congratulations!” Zhidong Xu, PhD, University of California San Francisco.

“Thank you for a wonderful evening, as I was touched by the event, especially your passionate, most personal touch with the audience, Bonnie.” -Christopher Springmann, Executive Producer, ON THE PATH PRODUCTIONS, LLC

“WOW! What an amazing event! You should be proud! Bonnie certainly has amazing people on her team!” – Kerry J. Heckman