10th annual Cattle Baron’s Ball set April 2

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SPECIAL TO THE VINDICATOR | Honorees at the April 2 Cattle Baron’s Ball presented by the American Cancer Society are, from left seated, Dr. Rashid Abdu, medical honoree, and Stephen Burbrink, survivor honoree, and returning childhood cancer honorees, Ava Timko and Brett Wilcox, both 8 years old.

YOUNGSTOWN

The American Cancer Society will sponsor the 10th annual Cattle Baron’s Ball with a disco theme from 7 to 11 p.m. April 2 at The Lake Club, 1140 Paulin Road, Poland.

The event will honor cancer survivor Steve Burbrink of Austintown and medical honoree Dr. Rashid Abdu of Canfield. Special returning honored guests are two children who have survived cancer, 8-year-old Brett Wilcox of Boardman and 8-year-old Ava Timko of Canfield.

The ball also includes dinner, live and silent auctions and live entertainment. WHOT’s AC McCullough and Kelly Stevens will be the master and mistress of ceremonies. Brooks Ames will be the auctioneer. A VIP celebration for honorees and sponsors will take place from 6 to 7 p.m.

Burbrink has worked at General Motors since 1977 and has a second career in entertainment as a disk jockey, the owner of DJ Stevie B’s DJ Company. He is married, has two children and two grandchildren. In October 2012, Burbrink was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. He is currently in his fourth year of recovery. He is a board member for Man Up Mahoning Valley, an organization educating about prostate cancer, and a facilitator for the local Prostate Cancer Support Group.

Dr. Abdu is a retired Mercy Health surgeon whose wife, Joanie, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1993 and passed away during her fight. He worked to create a comprehensive breast care center in the Valley to honor his wife’s memory and help others fight breast cancer. Abdu and Mercy Health cut the ribbon to the Joanie Abdu Comprehensive Breast Care Center at St. Elizabeth Health Center in November 2011. He spent 20 years planning, researching and providing funding for the project before his dream came true.

Event chairwomen are Carole Weimer of Youngstown and Annette Camacci of Poland.

“In 2015, the Tri-County Cattle Baron’s Ball raised $90,000 for your American Cancer Society. The money that is raised through this event funds research, educates our community and funds programs and services such as “Road to Recovery,” which provides rides for patients going through treatments right here in the valley. We were very pleased and grateful to have been so successful,” Camacci said.

The event is made possible through the support of sponsors, Something New Floral/Joe Mineo Creative, Nautilus, Stairmaster and Star Trac.

The event is still seeking sponsors. For sponsorship opportunities, tickets or more information, contact Jamie Heinl at the American Cancer Society at 330-414-7412 or email Jamie.heinl@cancer.org.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.