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Four Pearls featured in OC Register
Beckstrand Cancer Foundation's Diamond & Pearl Ball, held at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort on Saturday, October 21, celebrated the golden age of Hollywood and raised money to improve the quality of life for cancer patients and their families. The sold-out, black-tie affair drew 475 guests and paid tribute to Andi Collins, the beautiful and courageous daughter of Patty and John Collins, who lost her battle with inflammatory breast cancer at age 16.
The elegant affair, highlighted by movie clips of Hollywood icons, was emceed by KABC/7's Ric Romero. Luxury Italian jeweler Bulgari returned for a second year as presenting sponsor and South Coast Plaza Bulgari manager Susan Franklin serving as the ball's honorary chairwoman.
Ball co-chairwomen were Kirsten Prosser, an executive at the Donna Karan boutique at South Coast Plaza, and Kelly Roberts, co-owner with husband Duane of Riverside's Mission Inn. The live auction prompted bids way above the stated value and included a $35,000 bid by Doug and Nicole Spedding for a Bulgari 18K white gold diamond and mother-of-pearl necklace, $34,000 for dinner by Holly and David Wilson for 24 in their home by Wolfgang Puck, $12,500 by Jon and Jane Kearl for a Neiman Marcus dinner for 20 at Mariposa Restaurant with designer Jay Strongwater, $20,000 by Dick and Bo Marconi for a private jet ride to Las Vegas for ringside seats at a Mandalay Bay boxing match and dinner at Aureole, and $13,000 by Mary EllenMoschetti for dinner for 18 at The Ritz Restaurant in Newport Beach, to name a few. The 2007Lexus LS460 opportunity prize, donated by Newport Lexus owners Joni and A.J. D'Amato, was a big draw as well.
Lauren Collins, Andi's sister, spoke about the establishment of the Beckstrand Foundation's Four Pearls auxiliary with Veronica and Stephanie Muth. "Andi is the fourth pearl," Lauren said. A Fund-A-Need auction was held that raised $487,000 to establish a Beckstrand pediatric hospice program. That money, combined with the auction proceeds, brought a record $1 million net proceeds for the event. Hear, hear!
