Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois to Lead ACS Gala

Grammy Award singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat will headline the American Cancer Society’s 12th annual Discovery Ball on Saturday, April 21 at the Swissȏtel in Chicago. Maurice Smith, president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, is chair of this year’s black-tie event.

“The American Cancer Society’s Discovery Ball is a night of celebration, determination and fundraising that will make a positive impact on the lives of so many people touched by cancer,” said Smith. “Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is committed to helping improve the health of the people of Illinois and chairing this event is just one way we are helping attack cancer from every angle. It’s an honor to bring Chicago’s business community together to help in this important fight.”

Grammy Award-winning, multiplatinum-selling singer-songwriter Caillat will perform songs from her latest album, The Malibu Sessions, as well as play several of her hits. The evening will feature ABC 7 Chicago’s Tanja Babich as emcee and will include a performance by Stage Factor aerialists, silent and live auctions.

More than 800 people are expected to attend and will consist of corporate sponsors, business leaders, underwriters and guests from a diverse cross-section of Fortune 500 corporate, medical, banking, technology health, legal and accounting companies. Also in attendance will be people on the frontlines of the cancer fight – researchers, providers, cancer survivors and volunteers who are living embodiment of this year’s theme: Impact From Every Angle.

Since 2007, the annual black-tie event has raised more than $31 million to support the Society’s mission to save lives and create a world with less cancer.

For more information, please contact the Discovery Ball office at (312) 279-7213 or www.discoveryball.org.

The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of 2 million volunteers saving lives in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 25 percent decline in the cancer death rate in the U.S. since 1991, driven by less smoking, better treatments, and earlier detection. We're finding cures as the nation's largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at (800) 227-2345 or visit cancer.org.