Warren Buffet, Temptations and Cheesecake raise KU Med Funds

The second-richest man in the world will help the Kansas University Endowment Association raise funds for KU Med breast cancer services.

Warren Buffett, listed behind only Microsoft mogul Bill Gates in Forbes magazine's listing of the world's richest people, will attend a grand-opening reception at Nebraska Furniture Mart in Kansas City, Kan., near the Kansas Speedway.

Buffett, whose investment firm Berkshire Hathaway owns Nebraska Furniture Mart, will attend a gala opening at 7 p.m. Aug. 14 at the store, 1601 Village West Parkway. It will include entertainment, hors d'oeuvres and tours of the store. Officials also will auction several items, including a lunch for four with Buffett, a sheet of $2 bills signed by Buffett and Gates and a grandfather clock personalized by Buffett.

A similar Buffett benefit recently raised $250,000 for a San Francisco foundation that assists the homeless.

Buffett, 72, of Omaha, Neb., also will attend a pre-gala reception that will be limited to 200 people. All attendees will be allowed to meet Buffett and have photos taken with him.

KU also will present the first Rose Blumkin Award for Excellence during the gala to Carol Fabian, c'68, m'72, a nationally known breast cancer researcher and doctor at KU Med. The award is named for the founder of Nebraska Furniture Mart.

The Temptations at Treads and Threads

The Temptations Review featuring Dennis Edwards, former lead singer, will entertain guests at Treads & Threads, the creative black-tie gala benefiting the Cancer Center at KU Med. The event will take to the track at Kansas Speedway on Friday, Sept. 12.

The Temptations' rich blend of voices and stylish, coordinated dance moves made music history during the 1960s and '70s with songs like "My Girl," "I Wish It Would Rain," "I Can't Get Next to You" and "Papa Was a Rolling Stone."

Entertainment for Treads & Threads will also include The Bill Pollack Orchestra, Chicago's hottest dance band‹back by popular demand. Twenty-one of the Kansas City area's best restaurants and caterers will treat guests to fine food and drink, and a fantastic fireworks display will light up the night sky. Co-chairs for the event are Sen. Pat Roberts, and his wife, Franki, and KU Med Board member Mark Parkinson, l'84 and his wife, Stacy Parkinson, c'81,c81, l'84. Honorary chair is Larry Moore of KMBC-TV, a former Cancer Center patient.

Sponsorship levels for Treads & Threads range from $3,500 to $25,000 and offer special recognition and guest benefits, including preferred parking, a 6 p.m. pre party, a group photo and a ride around the racetrack in a pace car. For a $500 donation, couples receive preferred parking, an invitation to the pre-party, a photo and recognition in the program. Individual tickets may be purchased for $150 each.

To learn more about Treads & Threads sponsorship opportunities, call (913) 588-1433 or go to http://www.treadsandthreads.org.

Cheesecake and Parkinson's Research

The Cheesecake Factory served up cheesecake, fun, live music and a contribution for the University of Kansas Medical Center on Friday, June 27, when more than 1,000 guests were welcomed to the newest location of the business at The Fountains Center in Overland Park, Kan.

Howard Gordon, vice president of marketing at the Cheesecake Factory, said the event at 119th Street and Glenwood was one of the company's most successful grand openings ever.

Ticket revenues from the event supported a charitable gift to KU Endowment. Prior to guests' arrival, Ron Gold, the location's developer, Allen Cinnamon, b'68, g'81, co-owner, and Meg Dougan, executive director of the Parkinson Foundation of the Heartland, presented a $50,000 check for Parkinson's Disease research at the Medical Center. The contribution was accepted by Raj Pahwa, m'92, KU associate professor of neurology, and Chuck Cordt, development director for medicine at KU Endowment.

It is typical "Cheesecake" style to hook up with a charity within the community for new openings. In this case, Ron Gold, co-owner of The Fountains Center, had particular interest in benefiting Parkinson's Disease research efforts. For 25 years, his mother fought the disease and was treated at the Parkinson Disease and Movement Disorder Center at the Medical Center.

Another effort coordinated by The Fountains Center to benefit the cause and the Medical Center will occur Sept. 13, when The Fountains Center holds the second annual Helen Gold 5k race.