Linda Gray to be honored by American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society Desert Spirit XXVII Gala is going back to the future with an elegant food and wine soiree at the exclusive Dick Heckmann estate April 3, 2016 in Rancho Mirage, according to a release from Melissa Neiderman, the advisory gala chair.

“This year we are going back to the classic Desert Spirit Gala origins of having a fun and inspirational evening at an elegant private estate,” said Neiderman. “With our elegant day at the polo-style theme encompassing a Food and Wine Soiree, the event will begin at 4:30 p.m. with wine and beer tasting, fabulous appetizers, and enjoyable entertainment.”

KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 are proud sponsors of the event.

“The program will be surrounded by our incredible restaurants serving delectable dishes for the main course. The short program will lead into an evening of dancing. Join Event Chair Kim Waltrip and host restaurateurs Drew and Cynthia Davis of Catalan Mediterranean Restaurant for a delicious and fun night,” Neiderman added.

Organizers said tickets are $300 per person and tables of 10 for $3,000 are available. For reservations and information about sponsorships, please call (760) 568-2691 press opt. 3.

The late popular actor and Coachella Valley visitor Dick Van Patten, who advocated colonoscopies in a nationally distributed commercial for American Cancer Society, will be honored along with his family with The Desert Spirit Humanitarian Award.

His son Vince, TV commentator and former tennis star and his actress wife Eileen Davidson are honorary gala chairs. Davidson is a Daytime Emmy Award winning soap opera and star of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” “The Young and the Restless,” “Days of Our Lives” and “The House on Sorority Row.”

Actress-director-author Linda Gray will be honored with the “Inspiration Award.” Her award winning portrayal of ‘Sue Ellen’, in the original TV series “Dallas”, brought her international fame and critical acclaim earning her an Emmy nomination for Best Actress and numerous international awards including Germany’s Bambi Award, Italy’s Il Gato for Best Actress on Television, and she was voted ‘Woman of the Year’ by The Hollywood Radio & Television Society, according to the release. After 11 years as the number one show on television, “Dallas” has returned in 2012 on TNT. She is author of the new bestselling book “The Road To Happiness Is Always Under Construction.”

Gray’s sister and her parents have all fallen victim to cancer: “If I can lend my voice as an advocate for early and regular screenings, lives might be saved. My wish is that everyone get the proper screenings and to encourage others to do the same,” she said.

Tom Davis, a cancer survivor and chief planning and development officer with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, will be honored with the ACS Celebration of Life Award for his advocacy in the war against cancer.

Two celebrated Coachella Valley personalities who lost their cancer battles this year, respected TV and print journalist Gloria Greer and actor-humanitarian and ACS supporter Lee Ames, will be saluted In Memoriam video presentations, organizers said.

Acclaimed film director/producer Kim Waltrip is this year’s gala event chair. Waltrip has been involved in such films as “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby” starring Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, “Hit & Run” starring Dax Shepard, Kristen Bell and Bradley Cooper, the comedies “Back in the Day,” “Expecting Mary,” and “Adopt a Sailor,” among several other film and television projects, including the military documentary “Again They Serve” for the Semper Fi Memorial Honor Detail for which she was honored with the “Aide de Camp” award.

KESQ News Channel 3’s Karen Devine will emcee the event while the Patrick Evans, chief meteorologist for CBS Local 2, will oversee the live auction.

“We are also very proud to have KESQ-TV as our TV media partner, The Desert Sun as our newspaper partner as well as The Standard to help us in the fight against cancer and to raise much needed funds for research and to help local cancer patients,” Neiderman said.

“KESQ is honored to serve as the official TV Media Sponsor of this wonderful Desert Spirit Gala because it is for a cause that seems to touch everyone who lives here in the Coachella Valley,” said Michael Stutz, general manager of KESQ-TV. “It is part of our commitment to showcase the important events that occur in this community and demonstrate the generosity of our residents who contribute to the fight against cancer. “

The American Cancer Society offers services and programs in the desert, including free transportation for cancer patients, free wigs, free lodging and free counseling for cancer patients and their families as well as fund cancer research. All of these services can be scheduled using the toll free number:(800) 227-2345.

All of us at KESQ News Channel 3 and CBS Local 2 hope to see the community out in force for this great event.