Social Scene

Marie Loiseau • February 27, 2014

“Almost nobody knows that November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month,” said Chris Draft, former linebacker for the Washington Redskins. “It’s not just a smoker’s disease. Anyone can get lung cancer.”

Draft’s wife, Keasha, a nonsmoker, was one such victim. She was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer in December 2010. The couple then launched Team Draft at their wedding in November 2011. One month later, Keasha lost her fight to lung cancer at age 38.

Lung cancer kills more people than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney and melanoma cancers combined. Yet many people remain frighteningly unaware of the disease. The stigma that it is “a smoker’s disease” has negatively impacted the amount of personal and financial support dedicated to lung cancer research.

Chris Draft has made it his mission to educate the public about lung cancer. He is the leader of the Chris Draft Family Foundation, which has a specific lung cancer initiative, Team Draft. This organization is leading a national campaign to “Change the Face of Lung Cancer.”

The personal inspiration of the foundation drives Draft to visit cancer centers around the country — he’s been to about 90 so far — and to advocating and to educate.

“We’re fighting for people and creating hope,” Draft said. “We focus on the survivors, bringing images of their smiles and laughter — those are the faces of lung cancer.”

Team Draft is carrying out a Survivor at Every Stadium initiative, which launched last year. The goal is to focus on survivors of the disease, educating attendees of sporting events nationwide.

On Nov. 4, Team Draft dubbed the Monday night football game — the Green Bay Packers vs. the Chicago Bears — a Lung Cancer Awareness Game. Lung cancer survivors helped raised the American flag at the beginning of the game and were recognized in the fourth quarter.

Draft was at the John P. Murtha Cancer Center at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., Nov. 6. The Murtha Center at Walter Reed partnered with Team Draft, the Department of Veterans, Lung Cancer Alliance and the Vietnam Veterans of America to hold its second annual Lung Cancer Screening Initiative. Veterans or beneficiaries were evaluated for lung cancer risk.

“Early detection, in any cancer, is the best first step,” Draft said. “Because of early detection, more people are living longer and living stronger.”

“We will continue to advocate for this stigmatized disease, continue to support survivors, and continue to educate people,” he said. Team Draft continued its work at the Nov. 10 Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars game, another Lung Cancer game, to keep on spreading the word. “We hope to change the face of lung cancer,” Draft said.

Mary Bird •

The 17th annual Signature Chefs Gala of DC provided fabulous tastings from over 20 leading chefs paired with wine from top local wineries and inventive cocktails. The March of Dimes celebrated 75 years of research, vaccines and breakthroughs to benefit babies. Emcee Leon Harris, Anchor/ABC7/WJLA-TV, urged “help those born too sick or too early.” Signature Chefs has raised $1 million for the cause since 1996. A live auction item with Signature Honorary Chef Jamie Leeds providing a private dining experience fetched $4,000. [gallery ids="101569,148541,148545,148550,148536,148556,148553" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Marsha and Rafik Muawwad invited friends to a dinner buffet on Nov. 5 in honor of Patrick Jephson, the first and only Private Secretary to HRH The Princess of Wales, the late beloved Princess Diana. Marsha introduced her honoree by noting that the date was actually that of the Guy Fawkes Gunpowder Plot and said “can you imagine the party if they had succeeded in blowing up politicians?” Currently a New York Times best-selling author and ABC News contributor, the honoree fascinated guests as he shared insider comments saying “I think of Diana as the queen we never had.” He spoke of her as “the most streetwise person I ever met.” [gallery ids="118598,118576,118603,118608,118583,118590,118614" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Ambassador of Switzerland H. E. Manuel Sager and Mrs. Christine Sager hosted the celebration “Cherishing Silver” on Nov. 5 at their residence. Artist Bill Dunlap served as Gala Host Committee Chair. The evening paid tribute to AFTA founder Lolo Sarnoff, the 97-year-old doyenne of the Washington scene, accomplished artist, scientist, entrepreneur, humanitarian and philanthropist. Ambassador Donald T. Bliss received the 5th Annual Sarnoff Award for distinguished philanthropy, community service and engagement in the arts. The program included a performance of works from cabaret, film and stage. Arts for the Aging is Washington’s premier organization for bringing arts engagements to the elderly. [gallery ids="101567,148617,148614,148609,148605,148600,148597,148632,148626,148592,148630,148622" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Renowned “dance maker” Dana Tai Soon Burgess, along with his internationally recognized dance company, made history this month as the first choreographer-in-residence at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. A private preview of Burgess’s latest work “Homage,” inspired by the NPG’s exhibition “Dancing the Dream,” was held on Nov. 6 following a private reception at Pepco’s Edison Gallery with NPG Director Kim Sajet and Curator Amy Henderson, as well as honored guests and supporters. The work later premiered for the public and will be part of the dance company’s evening-length shows at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater on Feb. 7 and 8. [gallery ids="101566,148640,148634,148638" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

On Nov. 2, the annual Lombardi Gala, focused on raising funding and awareness for cancer research, education and treatment benefitting Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, drew nearly 1,000 elegantly attired guests to the Washington Hilton. While the cause is sobering, the gala delivered a festive night of dinner and dancing peppered with a competitive silent auction of hundreds of items, the annual raffle of a Lexus and awards bestowed on remarkable individuals for their contributions in the fight against cancer. [gallery ids="101565,148645,148643" nav="thumbs"]

Mary Bird •

Ambassador Matthysen acknowledged that turning the embassy residence, “a house built for a family,” into an opera house for 120 guests had been “quite challenging for the musicians and for the house.” The transformation proved a great success on Nov. 16 as Opera Camerata of Washington presented Giacomo Puccini’s beloved La Bohème. Following a cocktail reception and seated dinner, narrator Robin Phillips elegantly set the scene as Russian born soprano Olga Orlovskaya and Mexican tenor Jesús Daniel Hernández pledged their love. Now in its 23rd year, Opera Camerata’s In-School Programs bring opera and classical music into the school systems without charge. [gallery ids="118605,118642,118635,118628,118666,118660,118655,118620,118612,118649" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Hometown favorite Benetton showed off its Autumn-Winter 2013 collection at its Georgetown flagship at Wisconsin and M. Some of Washington’s most fashionable and their families — many wearing Benetton products — met Benetton USA President and CEO Ari Hoffman, who flew in from New York for the Oct. 30 event.
[gallery ids="101564,148647,148652,148654" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

The American News Women’s Club celebrated one of its own — Helen Thomas — with a celebratory hanging of artwork by Patty Raine, depicting the White House correspondent playing the piano and singing with 10 U.S. presidents. With family and friends on hand Nov. 7, toasts at the club on 22nd Street included priceless and loving remarks about the feisty news legend. [gallery ids="101562,148661,148666,148670,148674,148679,148681" nav="thumbs"]

Robert Devaney •

Night Nouveau was presented by the S&R Foundation at historic Evermay Estate Nov. 2. Guests
could solve a three-murder mystery or just enjoy the house and gardens and sample whiskey and
specialty cocktails and along with great food. The evening ended with a silent disco in the ballroom
to music provided by Heist deejay, Chuck Koch. The mystery was planned by Joshua Morgan of No
Rules Theater. [gallery ids="101529,150194,150189,150198,150213,150211,150203,150206" nav="thumbs"]