The American Cancer Society is pleased to announce the 10th Annual Cattle Baron’s Ball will be held on Apr. 2, at The Lake Club.
      The Cattle Baron’s Ball is one of the American Cancer Society’s premiere events, including dinner, live and silent auctions, live entertainment and more! This year’s event will be disco themed and honor cancer survivor Steve Burbrink of Austintown and medical honoree Dr. Rashid Abdu of Canfield. Our special honored returning guests are both children who have survived cancer: 8 year old Brett Wilcox of Boardman and 8 year old Ava Timko of Canfield.
      Survivor honoree Steve Burbrink of Austintown has worked at General Motors since 1977 and has a second career in entertainment as a DJ, owner of DJ Stevie B’s DJ Company. He is married, has two children and two grandchildren. In October 2012, Burbrink was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. He is currently in his fourth year of recovery. He is a board member for Man Up Mahoning Valley, an organization educating about prostate cancer and a facilitator for the local Prostate Cancer Support Group.
      Medical honoree Dr. Rashid Abdu of Canfield is a retired Mercy Health surgeon whose wife, Joanie, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and passed away during her fight. Dr. Abdu worked tirelessly to create a comprehensive breast care center in our community to honor his wife’s memory and help others fight breast cancer. Dr. Abdu and Mercy Health cut the ribbon to the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center at St. Elizabeth Health Center in Youngstown in November 2011. He spent 20 years planning, researching and providing funding for the project before his dream came true.
      This year’s event chairwomen Carole Weimer of Youngstown and Annette Camacci of Poland work alongside a volunteer committee to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
      “In 2015, the Tri-County Cattle Baron’s Ball raised $90,000 for your American Cancer Society. The money that is raised through this event funds research, educates our community and funds programs and services such as “Road to Recovery,” which provides rides for patients going through treatments right here in the valley. We were very pleased and grateful to have been so successful,” Camacci said.
      This year’s evening will include gourmet dining, live and silent auctions, music and fun-filled activities. WHOT’s AC McCullough and Kelly Stevens will be the Master and Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. Brooks Ames will be the auctioneer. A VIP celebration for honorees and sponsors will take place from 6-7.
      T his event is made possible through the generous support of event sponsors Something New Floral-Joe Mineo Creative, Nautilus, Stairmaster and Star Trac.
      The event is still seeking sponsors. For sponsorship opportunities, tickets or more information, contact Jamie Heinl at the American Cancer Society at 330-414-7412 or email Jamie.heinl@cancer.org.