On September 13, 2012, CTF’s Arkansas Chapter enjoyed a spectacular night at the fifth annual Red Carpet for Research Gala – Dancing with Our Stars. The sellout crowd of 240 guests were energized by the “Stars,” local celebrities ranging from Michele Towne, Owner of Inviting Arkansas magazine, and KATV’s Justin Lewis, to Diet Center in the Heights owner Kristen Chase and federal government attorney Edward Walker, who performed dance routines in front of a panel of judges. The Champion Mirror Ball trophy was won by Gary Taylor, owner of the local running store Go! Running, and the Best Performance Award went to Kathy Swanson, who owns Smile Photobooths.
(Pictured left: Kathy Swenson and partner)
The Arkansas Chapter was honored to present two Outstanding NF Community Service Awards as well. The recipients were Pete Tanguay, Team Captain of the Little Rock Marathon which raised over $21,000 for neurofibromatosis (NF) research, and Isabella Nguyen who was presented with the Outstanding Youth Service Award for her fundraising efforts to sponsor a child’s trip to NF Camp by raising more than $1,000. (Pictured right: Chad Leathers of CTF, Arkansas Chapter President Lesley Oslica, and Isabella Nguyen)
This year, the Red Carpet for Research Gala raised $57,000, bringing its five year total funds raised to $240,000. The proceeds from the Gala fund NF research through the Children’s Tumor Foundation, and also support the NF Clinic at Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
