Leukemia Ball Lineup Features John Mulaney, The Legwarmers, Damien Escobar

The Leukemia Ball, one of the Washington, D.C., area’s most prominent charity events, will feature an entertainment lineup that includes a world-renowned violinist, an Emmy award-winning writer and comedian and an ’80s tribute band.

The annual event on March 21 at the Marriott Marquis, Washington, D.C., raises funds for cancer research and patient programs funded by The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Since the first ball in 1988, the event has raised more than $65 million forward finding cures for leukemia, lymphoma and Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma as well as efforts to improve quality of life for patients and their families.

This year’s theme is “Visionary,” and the fundraising goal is $3.5 million as LLS works to drive down the sobering statistic that nearly one-third of all blood cancer patients do not survive five years past diagnosis.

“LLS is changing the landscape of cancer research now more than ever,” said Ria Freydberg, National Capital Area chapter executive director. “LLS has supported nearly all of the 53 new blood cancer treatments approved by the FDA since the beginning of 2017. The funds raised through events such as the Leukemia Ball over the past 33 years have significantly contributed to these unprecedented developments in research. These advances are providing blood cancer patients with new, innovative and more effective therapies.”

The event’s entertainment lineup includes writer and comedian John Mulaney, who has won Emmy Awards for his work on “Saturday Night Live” and the Netflix special “Kid Gorgeous.” Over the years, he has hosted SNL, worked on additional Netflix specials and lent his voice to “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” as well as others.

Also during the evening, The Legwarmers, DC’s Ultimate 80s Tribute Band, will perform for dancers. Finally, there will be a special performance by world-renowned violinist Damien Escobar, who has had a Billboards chart-topping career over a decade. His first solo album, “Sensual Melodies,” was released in 2013 and landed him on the iTunes Top 100 chart.

There will also be both a live and a silent auction as well as a drawing for a Mercedes-Benz at the evening. Visit www.leukemiaball.org/drawing to learn more. Some of the auctioned items include a variety of travel packages courtesy of local hotel partners and American Airlines.

Kimberly Russo, CEO of The George Washington University Hospital, and Tamika Tremaglio, greater Washington area managing principal for Deloitte LLP, are co-chairing the ball. They lead a volunteer executive committee of more than 45 top executives representing major organizations across the D.C. area. 

The ball’s top sponsors this year include dinner sponsor Deloitte LLP; mission sponsor, The George Washington University Hospital; chairmen’s reception sponsor, PhRMA; and longtime partner in Hope, LIUNA.

A variety of sponsorship opportunities are still available. For more information, contact Kelly Kent at Kelly.Kent@lls.org or 703-399-2930.