Put on your favorite cocktail attire, dance to some oldies music, and have a night on the town. Raise some money for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society while you’re at it. Jansie Tompkins, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Woman of the Year nominee, is hosting “A Cure for Jansie’s Angels,” a benefit gala and auction to be held on Saturday, April 9 beginning at 6 p.m. at David’s Restaurant located at 5151 Stars and Stripes Drive in the Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club.
“I’ve always been involved with cancer [research] organizations after my dance teacher, Mary Ann Norris Bullen, passed away from cancer in 2005,” Tompkins says. “Ever since then, I became passionate about helping to find a cure for cancer because I know so many people are affected by this disease.”
Tompkins and her event co-coordinator, Vanessa Vierra, have been busy visiting local businesses to ask for support.
“We’ve had great response from others as people are always willing to help a cause as detrimental as cancer,” Vierra says. “They know the research used to help those with leukemia and lymphoma can also be used to help other cancer patients.”
With donations from generous owners of local businesses and organizations, the benefit gala will feature auction items, including a TiVo with a three-month membership, Adobe Photoshop software, a case of wine from the Peirano Estate Vineyards, artwork by Thomas Kinkade, photography services from Jorge Delgado, dinner at the local fire station, and 49ers tickets. Things to be raffled off include items from the San Jose Sharks Foundation, an iPod, restaurant dinners, Easter baskets, jewelry, and spa services.
According to Tompkins, all contributions related to the gala are tax-deductible. This includes the raffle money, auction bids, and admission tickets, which cost $50 each for students and $75 each for adults.
“My goal is to help raise $50,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society,” Tompkins says. “I’m also trying to find a company to offer a donation to match [what I raise at the benefit gala.]”
Email acureforjansiesangels@gmail.com or call (408) 691-2250 to RSVP for the benefit gala as soon as possible. Tompkins invites those who cannot attend the gala to mail in a donation. Checks should be made out to Jansie Tompkins and sent to: Jansie Tompkins, 3230 The Alameda, Santa Clara, CA 95050. All donations need to be received by May 20. Donors should write “Jansie Tompkins” on their checks’ memo lines. Donors should also contact Tompkins to receive information about receiving tax deductions for their contributions.
Tompkins is currently a student at San Jose State University double majoring in nursing and Spanish and minoring in dance and child development. When Tompkins is not busy with her studies, she is involved with her duties as Miss Santa Clara 2011 and as a volunteer at the local Kaiser Permanente’s pediatrics department, where some of the children she has worked with suffered from leukemia.
“I have an amazing life and an amazing family and friends,” Tompkins says. “I’m fortunate to be healthy. At the same time, I know many people are suffering so I know it’s my job to help out.”
