Lymphoma, the most common blood cancer, was diagnosed in about 58,870 cases and claimed the lives of approximately 18,840 Americans in 2006. Among those who succumbed to the disease was Stanley Chorlins, attorney, leader in the Jewish community, and beloved husband, father and grandfather. According to his sister, Helene Chorlins Meyer, when Stanley was diagnosed with lymphoma he was determined to fight the disease and to keep his law practice going as long as possible.

Despite his determination, he lost the battle. After she learned of five additional deaths from lymphoma within three months of her brother’s passing, Helene Meyer decided to spearhead a fundraiser for lymphoma research.

She told me, “I believe that some good must come from these losses.”

On Saturday, Mar. 17 SoundStage Productions, a not-for-profit organization that supports diversity and education through theatre, will present To Life, a celebration of life through five decades of Broadway’s show stopping music. Performing selected hits from the Broadway stage will be Helene Meyer along with a cast of talented singers. To Life, dedicated to the memory of Stanley Chorlins, will be staged at Rose Hill Masonic Association Hall, 11122 Olive Blvd. in Creve Coeur and begins at 6 p.m. with hors d’ oeuvres and a silent auction. At 6:30 p.m. an elegant buffet dinner is to be served in a cabaret atmosphere followed by the show at 8 and dessert in the form of a sweet table at 9.

Individual seats are $75, patron seats $125 and tables of eight $600. Reservations may be made by sending your check, payable to the Lymphoma Research Foundation Benefit, to SoundStage Productions, c/o Helene Meyer. P.O. Box 26043, St. Louis, MO 63126. The evening is being underwritten by Chorlin’s former law firm, Paule, Camazine and Blumenthal.

All proceeds will benefit the Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) which is devoted exclusively to funding lymphoma research and providing patients and healthcare professionals with critical information on the disease. LRF’s mission is to eradicate lymphoma and serve those touched by it.

To date, LRF has funded more than $29.5 million in lymphoma research. I was pleased to learn that 85 cents of every dollar goes to research and education programming and that for two years in a row LRF has received the highest rating for sound fiscal management.

In the United Stated more than 500,000 men, women and children have lymphoma, wither non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma or Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The Lymphoma Research Foundation funds cutting-edge research to find a cure.

Some promising research areas for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma include new antibody treatments, vaccine treatments, profiling tumors and testing new therapies, while for Hodgkin’s disease research is delving into the role of viruses and less toxic and lesser amounts of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

In addition to funding research projects in many hospitals, LRF provides funding for two year fellowships and three year clinical investigator career development awards.

In addition, LRF provides a comprehensive series of programs and services geared to patients and their families which address treatment issues, the latest research advances, and coping with all aspects of the disease, including health insurance and financial questions.

I have a personal stake in the Lymphoma Research Foundation, as I believe their work is responsible for helping save my daughter-in-law and the son of a dear friend. Denise, diagnosed with non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma over five years ago, had a stem cell transplant using her own stem cells at Boston’s Dana-Farber Cancer Institute which is a leader in the field of lymphoma research.

Frank, on the other hand and at the other end of the country, had a stem cell transplant in Tucson, Arizona.

His brother and youngest sibling, a perfect match, was the donor.

A year and a half later Frank is enjoying his life in Arizona.

These are but two of many thousands of reasons to support the fundraiser in memory of Stanley Chorlins.