The 15th annual American Cancer Society Cattle Baron’s Ball, ‘Denims and Diamonds,” will be held at the Lake Club on Fri., Aug 13, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. The ball is one of the Mahoning Valley’s premiere charity events, with tickets selling out each year and tens of thousands of dollars raised to fund the fight against cancer.
      This year’s honorees, chairs, event sponsor, and special guests include---
       •Honorary Chairs: Lauren Lindvig, Ron Flaviano, Fred Housel.
       •Medical Honorees: Kene Ugokwe, MD, and Jennifer Baird, MD.
       •Cancer Survivor Honoree: Jennifer Sayavich.
       •Special Guests/Pediatric Cancer Survivors: Brett Wilcox and Ava Timko.
       •Event Chairs: Carole Weimer and Annette Camacci.
      2021 survivor honoree is Jen Sayavich of Sweet Arrangements Florist, who has battled breast cancer as a young mother. The 2021 medical honorees are both also cancer survivors: Dr. Kene Ugokwe, a Mercy Health neurosurgeon, and Dr. Jennifer Baird, a physician with The Center for Women.
      Pediatric cancer survivors Brett Wilcox and Ava Timko, who were honored at this event in 2012 and 2013, have continued to be guests at the ball, providing all who battle cancer with pride and hope for the future.
      This year’s event will also recognize 2020 honorees, whose event was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
      2020 honorary chairs were Patt and Doug Sweeney. Patt is the former health commissioner for the Mahoning County Health District and Doug is the former president of the Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC.
      The medical honoree of 2020 was Dr. Thomas Chirichella, a Mercy Health physician and surgeon, associated with the Mercy Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancer Center.
      The Survivor Honoree of 2020 was Mrs. Robin Daprile, who sadly lost her battle to cancer several months after the Cattle Baron’s Ball aired in August, 2020.
      The Cattle Baron’s Ball will offer attendees a lively, western-themed party featuring gourmet cuisine, musical entertainment and dancing, live and silent auctions, and much more. Attendees are encouraged to don their favorite country/western denim along with some glitz for this “Denim and Diamonds” event.
      Entertainment will be provided by Leanne Binder during the 6-7 p.m. cocktail hour, and the K Street Band will provide entertainment for the balance of the evening. Returning for this year will be Dana Balash from WFMJ, who will serve as master of ceremonies.
      The event is made possible through the generous support of the presenting sponsor Mercy Health. Additional major sponsors include Hollywood Gaming; Komara Jewelers; The Muransky Companies; Simon Roofing; Richard and Susan Sokolov; and Sweeney Chevrolet Buick GMC.
      To purchase tickets, provide a sponsorship or auction items, contact the American Cancer Society at 330-318-4107, or kelly.sobotka@cancer.org or visit www.youngstowncattlebaronsball.org.