VIVA for Life celebrates third year

After two successful events, "VIVA for Life, an Evening of Celebration," is back for the third year.

This black-tie fundraising event, which benefits the Western New York Breast Resource Center and patient care and educational programs at Roswell Park Cancer Institute, will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28 at Romanello's South in Hamburg.

Over the past two years, the event has raised more than $80,000 for the WNY Breast Resource Center at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

The evening of celebration will include a silent auction, music, dancing, hors d'oeuvres, desserts, door prizes, a midnight pink balloon drop to "ring in" October and Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the presentation of this year's "Living Life with Hope and Courage" Award to a breast cancer survivor and advocate.

For the third year, WGRZ-TV news anchor Maryalice Demler will serve as the honorary chairperson for the event. Sponsors for the evening include VIVA Hair & Spa, A&A Beauty Supply, Boncraft Printing Group and Creditors Interchange.

"We could not have asked for more success in our first two years, which not only exceeded our expectations in generating the much-needed revenue for the fight against breast cancer but also celebrated life," said Russell Hurlburt, owner of VIVA Hair & Spa and coordinator for VIVA for Life, an Evening of Celebration.

"Breast cancer has touched so many lives in our community, and this year, we hope to meet our goal of raising $100,000," he said.

Tickets are $75 each and available at VIVA Hair & Spa, 6171 W. Quaker St., Orchard Park, by calling 662-6600 or by visiting www. vivaforlife. org.

All proceeds from the event will stay in the Western New York community to assist those with breast cancer and help fund new initiatives at Roswell Park Cancer Institute.