U. students to have Ball and fight cancer

There is a simple way for University students to help cancer patients which doesn't involve either going pre-med or embarking on an Organic Chemistry adventure. It could be as simple as buying a $30 ticket to the Penn Against Cancer Benefit Ball. College junior Kirsten Bartok and Wharton junior Jon Rodbell founded the Ball last year, a University-wide benefit for the American Cancer Society, and have incorporated the Ball to insure that the event, which will be held for the second time this year, will be held annually. "We incorporated [the Ball] not for profit, but to ensure its longevity," Bartok said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to pass it on to people after us." Bartok and Rodbell founded the event last year, and, according to their estimates, over 700 University students attended the formal dance held at the Grand Rotunda of Liberty Place at 16th and Market streets. "It was an overwhelming success last year," Rodbell said, adding that over $10,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society, which underwrote the event. "Every penny not used to put on the event itself goes directly to the American Cancer Society," Rodbell said. Rodbell added that last year, several organizations offered their assistance to the new program, including the Liberty Place Ritz-Carlton Hotel. According to Bartok, Liberty Place was "filled to capacity" last year, and even more people are expected to attend this year's function to be held on Thursday, February 25. "I'm positive that we're going to sell over 1,000 tickets," Bartok said optimistically. Rodbell added that while ticket sales have been going well, there are a limited number of tickets available for the event. Tickets for this year's event are available on Locust Walk, and must be purchased in advance by February 21 at the cost of $30 per person. Rodbell said that the event, like last year's, will have an open bar for students with 21 ID. Bartok said that the organizers of this year's event hope the Ball will have an appeal that will cross the usual social perimeters of the University. "Last year, the Ball was especially focused on Greek students," Bartok said. "We'd like to reach out to all organizations on campus. That's our primary focus."