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Cancer Support Community South Bay’s Celebrate Wellness Gala in Manhattan Beach

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Cancer Support Community South Bay (CSC South Bay) welcomed more than 250 guests to its 29th annual Celebrate Wellness Gala on August 15 at the Westdrift Hotel in Manhattan Beach. The Great Gatsby-themed evening raised more than $230,000 to help provide free support programs for people affected by cancer and their families.

Guests gathered for dinner, live and silent auctions, a Golden Ticket drawing and entertainment. KTLA’s Wendy Burch emceed the event. CSC South Bay participant Sean Fistonich shared how the organization’s programs helped him through his cancer journey, and the Youth Leadership Council was recognized for raising awareness of those programs in local schools and the community.

Gia Balzano, Avery Kokes and Ava Abbasian Kashi holding Golden Ticket materials at the Celebrate Wellness Gala.
From left: Gia Balzano, Avery Kokes and Ava Abbasian Kashi help guests with Golden Tickets.
Scott and Kelli Trantina with CSC South Bay board member Kathy Grogan and Michael Grogan at the gala.
From left: Scott Trantina, Kelli Trantina, CSC South Bay board member Kathy Grogan and Michael Grogan.
Members of CSC South Bay’s Youth Leadership Council pose together at the gala.
From left: Youth Leadership Council members Klara Mertz, Arya Abbasian Kashi, Ava Abbasian Kashi, Aubrey Bradford and Liam Hartigan.
CSC South Bay CEO Jillian Van Leuven and gala emcee Wendy Burch stand together at the event.
CSC South Bay Executive Director and CEO Jillian Van Leuven, left, with gala emcee Wendy Burch of KTLA.
CSC South Bay participant Sean Fistonich speaks at a podium during the Celebrate Wellness Gala.
CSC South Bay participant Sean Fistonich shares how the organization’s free programs supported him through his cancer journey.
CSC South Bay Program Director Nancy Lomibao and Cesar Lomibao at the gala.
CSC South Bay Program Director and CCO Nancy Lomibao with Cesar Lomibao.
Wendy Burch holds up the winning Golden Ticket number onstage at the gala.
KTLA’s Wendy Burch announces the winning Golden Ticket number.
Tracey Lee, Nikki Stark, Goli Eslami, Marta Jevenois and Anna Kapanadze pose together at the gala.
From left: Tracey Lee, Nikki Stark, CSC South Bay Event and Volunteer Manager Goli Eslami, Marta Jevenois and Anna Kapanadze.

CSC South Bay offers more than 200 free programs each month for people facing cancer and their loved ones. Learn more about its support services at CSC South Bay.

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