David Foster, Dancing With the Stars Personalities, Enferno and More Stars Add Luster to John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary Odyssey Ball
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Internationally acclaimed Grammy-award winning songwriter, singer and record producer David Foster regaled a star-studded crowd with his music at the Beverly Hilton Hotel Apr. 21 at the Odyssey Ball. This year billed as a VIP Club Night, the annual ball benefited the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica.
Foster’s “friends,” joining him to entertain, included Katherine Jenkins, Fernando Varela, Draco Rosa and Jack Carter. Together, they entertained 650 guests, among them actors Ryan O’Neal, Tatum O’Neal, Alana Stewart and Dick Van Patten, celebrity stylist Kim Vo, director Wolfgang Petersen, designer Sue Wong, and others.
The big turnout from “Dancing With The Stars” consisted of – aside from opera singer and this season’s super contestant Jenkins – former contenders, including tennis great Martina Navratilova and actress Marlee Matlin; judge Bruno Tonioli; and professional dancers Mark Ballas and Peta Murgatroyd.
Pro dancer Tony Dovolani of “Dancing With The Stars” emceed the gala, which honored Lawrence D. Piro, M.D., with “The Duke” Special Service Award. Piro is president and CEO of The Angeles Clinic and Research Institute and a leading oncologist.
“He has been our ‘go to’ specialist in oncology for four years now,” said Andrew Ordon, M.D., aka “Dr. Drew.” “We have also become friends—a true doctors doctor,” he added, having arrived elated, after wrapping the latest season of “The Doctors.”
Actor Patrick Wayne, one of John Wayne’s sons, expressed similar admiration for Piro. “He is on the cutting edge of worldwide cancer research, both traditional and non-traditional, and is open to new experiences,” Wayne said, adding that Piro is also a life coach.”
With DJ Enferno – who toured with Madonna – providing the music, Foster and friends led an increasingly raucous crowd to an evening of comedy, song and dance. Who knew that celebrating cancer research could have such life?
Teddi Gilderman, Katie Lewis and Marisol Zarco served as co-chairs, alongside board members Hollace Brown, Martha Harper, Maddy Gordon, Susan Veerman, Cynde Wilen, Shirley Lipstone, Anita Swift, Jackie Banchik, Diane Feldman, Roberta Novick and others.