4th Annual Fall Gala & Silent Auction

I ♥ MC-NC

Raleigh, NC - November 12, 2011

On November 12, 2011 the fourth annual I ♥ MC Gala & Silent Auction brought family, friends, and supporters together from all over the country to Raleigh, NC for a fundraiser to benefit the Mary Claire Satterly Foundation's support of the Oncology Pediatric Playroom at the NC Cancer Hospital.

The Mary Claire Satterly Foundation's mission is to find a cure for pediatric Leukemia and improve the lives of patients and their families living with cancer in memory of the late Mary Claire Satterly ("MC"). MC loved children, her family, art and Chapel Hill, so the Foundation's support of the NC Cancer hospital has been very fitting to its namesake.

On a beautiful fall evening, over 250 guests filled a playfully decorated Marbles Children Museum to raise MCSF awareness and spread "MCSpirit!" The bright orange lanterns used to decorate the museum (pictured below) symbolized the Foundation's dedicated focus on pediatric leukemia and a shining light for hope to find a cure. Thanks to the hard work of this year's MC-NC event committee, hosts, volunteers, donors, sponsors, and guests, the event raised over $35,000.

The cuisine, cocktails, silent auction items and gift bags were carefully selected to reflect some of Mary Claire's favorite things. Mary Claire's passion for music and home town roots came through when DJ Joe Bunn, also from Wilson, NC and committed to cancer causes, played one of MC's favorite songs, "Carolina Girls." Sponsor Sweetwater Brewery of Atlanta, GA donated a "MCSpirit!" beer custom-labeled for the occasion.

A brief program was held during the evening to thank the Foundation's gracious sponsors and supporters and share Foundation updates. Dr. Stuart Gold, Head of Pediatric Oncology at the NC Lineberger Cancer Hospital described how "the Mary Claire Satterly Pediatric Playroom has become the heart of the pediatric wing, and provides children receiving treatment a place to just be kids."

MC's parents, Chip and Joan Satterly, presented a check on behalf of the Foundation to Dr. Gold for $40,000 to continue the MCS Digital Art therapy program and launch Family Supports services at the "MC Playroom", including sibling therapy, family coping retreats and other resources. The Foundation has donated over $300,000 to Lineberger since 2008, when MC lost her battle to AML Leukemia just 5 days after her initial diagnosis at the age of 27, when her career in advertising was flourishing and her passions for skiing, running, and "beaching it" were fulfilled on trips with friends and family.

In typical MC fashion, the night of celebration and commitment to spread "MCSpirit!" continued late into the evening at the Mint Museum after party in, where there was a live music performance and specialty drinks served.

The Mary Claire Satterly Foundation would like to thank everyone who made the event such a success. For more information about the Foundation, please visit www.MCSpirit.org.