Annual Cancer Ball raises funds in style

All decked out in black-tie attire, about 700 Penn students congregated at the Franklin Institute last Thursday night with one thing in common: They had each purchased a $40 ticket to help the fight cancer. Each year, hundreds of Penn students come together to help in the fight against cancer by attending the Penn Against Cancer Ball, a gala event filled with music, dancing, drinking and mingling. The event was first held in 1990, when 1994 Wharton graduate Jonathan Rodbell and his friend Kirsten Bartok started the Penn Against Cancer Society. Their purpose was to create an independent, student-run charitable organization on campus. Each year, a board of students works on the Penn Against Cancer Society to plan and organize the annual Cancer Ball. This year, Jonathan's cousin, College senior Allison Rodbell, was the chairperson of the board. Rodbell said that although proceeds have not completely been tabulated, she expects this year's ball to have raised around $10,000, which is about what previous Cancer Balls have garnered, with the money going to cancer research. She added that the event sold out at the last minute "We really appreciate the community support and need it in order to continue," Rodbell said. "[The ball] is the best way to have a good time and get money to a good cause." Since the Penn Against Cancer Society is totally independent from any University group, "we like to feel that anyone can feel welcome from the Penn community," Rodbell said. Students said they felt that this event was very different from other social events on campus such as fraternity or sorority formals or other exclusive, invite-only events. "Although it costs a lot of money, deep down inside I knew it was going to a good cause and it was money well spent," College freshman Danielle Weiss said. "It was nice to see a more diverse group of students. Not everyone there was involved with the Greek system." Other students commented that unlike other formal events, it wasn't necessary to bring a date to the Cancer Ball, which allowed them to simply go with friends. After all of the work put into planning this ball, Rodbell felt that overall, it was a success. She pointed out that The Franklin Institute and Frog Catering -- which provided hors d'oeuvres for the event -- were very accommodating to the society, especially considering that most other places were scared off by such a large number of students.