Tickets Sale Launches for Annual Chase After a Cure Gala Benefiting Local Childhood Cancer Research

Help raise money to fund local research for treatments and cures for childhood cancer at the seventh annual Chase After a Cure Gala featuring Charleston vocalist Quiana Parler. The gala is set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, 2015, at Memminger Auditorium, 56 Beaufain St. in Charleston.

A former “American Idol” contestant, Parler performed with stars like Clay Aiken, Keith Sweat and Kelly Clarkson before returning to her hometown of Charleston to form Quiana Parler and Friends. The band travels all over the country, performing jazz, pop, R&B and rock 'n roll.

This black-tie optional gala theme is “An Evening in Paris” with food from top local restaurants, an open bar and a live and silent auction. Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 14 for a special rate of $85 each. After that, the price is $125 per person.

Presenting sponsors include Cornerstone Wealth and Tax Advisory Group and AV Connections. Additional sponsorship opportunities are available and silent auction items are needed; email adam@chaseafteracure.com for details.

Additional ticket promotions:

  • Purchase tickets for $95 each on Tuesday, Dec. 2 as part of #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back.
  • Purchase tickets for $110 each on Sunday, Jan. 4. That day is Chase Ringler’s 11th birthday. Chase After a Cure was started in 2009 by Whitney Ringler and her family after her son, Chase, was given a 30 percent chance of survival after being diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma.

In advance of each ticket special, Chase After a Cure will give away a gala ticket on its Facebook page. Visit www.facebook.com/ChaseAfteraCure for updates and contest details. The 2014 Chase After a Cure Gala sold out several days prior to the event, so purchase tickets early at www.chaseafteracuregala.com.

Cancer is the No. 1 cause of disease-related death among children. About 13,500 children between birth and age 19 are diagnosed with cancer each year. Just at the Medical University of South Carolina, about 70 children are diagnosed with pediatric cancer annually.

“We have a great time getting dressed and up enjoying a festive night out, but we never lose focus on the true meaning of this event and that’s to help children facing deadly cancers,” said Adam White, executive director of Chase After a Cure. “Amid the food, dancing and entertainment, we’ll pause to make sure everyone who attends the gala is fully aware of the realities of childhood cancer and the need for additional treatment options for these children.”

Money raised at the “An Evening in Paris” gala benefits research being done at the Medical University of South Carolina Children’s Hospital. This research laboratory is the only such lab in South Carolina dedicated to translational pediatric cancer research, specifically neuroblastoma, which has one of the lowest survival rates of all pediatric cancers and is the third most common cancer among children.

Since its founding, Chase After a Cure has raised more than $705,000 for research and equipment at MUSC.