Estée Lauder Companies Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign Gala Dinner, KL Hilton – 7 Nov 2007
By Dr Evelyn Ho Joanne Yeoh, violinist extraordinaire’s opening performance was an electrifying start to an evening of glamour, colour, creativity, generosity and good old plain fun! Yasmin Yusoff, celebrity emcee did an excellent job of introductions and ensured the evening proceeded smoothly. Yasmin also doubled as auctioneer, with great results!
The early birds arriving for the dinner mingled in the foyer of the banquet hall, and were served drinks. An “exhibition” and write up of the items for auction was on display.
The banquet hall was decorated with various hues of pink from strategically placed lights, definitely “a passion for pink”. The table flowers were exquisite. Speeches were kept short and sweet with Mr Loo Kai Nan, Managing Director of Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) Malaysia leading the way, followed by Yang Berbahagia Puan Sri Datin Seri Dato’ Akmal Abdul Salam, Patron of the Breast Cancer Welfare Association. Messages of ELC’s worldwide exercise as well as those of early detection and being breast aware were reiterated. This was ELC Malaysia’s 11th year propagating the breast cancer awareness cause.
Food was a 4-course western dinner and videos of ELC’s activities worldwide were shown. Auctioning of autographed memorabilia by Evelyn H. Lauder, Donna Karan and Sean John began after dessert was served. Malaysia’s international icon, Dato’ Professor Jimmy Choo’s specially designed pair of pink couture shoes was also on auction. He flew in from the United Kingdom to attend the dinner!
Exclusive pink-inspired gowns designed by Malaysia’s five top designers - Carven Ong, Eric Choong, Khoon Hooi, Ridzwan Bohari and Dato’ Tom Abang Saufi were the next highlights. Andrews models showed off the designs and Yasmin ensured good “yields” from the auction! Thanks to the very generous dinner participants.
Mock cheques were presented to the Breast Cancer Welfare Association, National Cancer Society of Malaysia and College of Radiology for their work in breast cancer awareness, support, advocacy or provision of subsidised or free mammograms. This year, these organisations received very generous donations of RM100,000 each, even though originally, the estimated target raised was slightly lower (the mock cheque figure was RM90,000)! The ELC team and their partners had surpassed their target for this fund raising exercise and the auction had brought in some more funds!
The evening ended on a high with renditions of songs by multiple award winning Jaclyn Victor (Malaysia’s first Malaysian Idol) and the very popular Akademi Fantasia winner, Vince Chong. Jaclyn entertained with crowd first while Vince began with a heartfelt rendition of Josh Groban’s You Raise Me up before launching into finger tapping- foot tapping songs! Jaclyn and Victor then paired for a very powerful duet finale! What a wonderful end to a successful charity gala dinner.
Congratulations to Sharyn Wong, the organising chairperson of this year’s ELC’s Breast Cancer Awareness Committee 2007 and her team at ELC for a job well done and thank you Estée Lauder Companies for enabling the breast cancer/health programmes to carry on in Malaysia. Partners for this event were Hilton Kuala Lumpur, BluInc and Malaysia Tattler. Donations from various quarters were also received from the charity dinner appeal.
Read About Other ELC Activities: ELC’s pioneering feat of Illuminating Pavilion KL in pink on 1st October 2007 Estée Lauder: Girls’ Breast Friend! Breast Cancer Charity Hi-Tea |
