About 350 benefactors gathered last Saturday night to raise raise $650,000 for the Puget Sound Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®.

The annual Grace Notes gala at The Fairmont Olympic Hotel is the affiliate’s main fundraising opportunity, after the Race for the Cure, and features an emotional celebration of local breast cancer survivors.  The event was attended by a number of civic and business leaders and celebrities, including Seahawks star Jacob Green, KCTS TV’s Enrique Cerna and KING TV news anchor Jean Enersen.

Highlights of the auction included an original lithograph by Marc Chagall, a BBQ Party for 20 hosted by Seahawks star Jacob Green and two days at Ferrari’s exclusive Ferrari Driving School.

Washington State has the highest rate of breast cancer in the nation, with roughly 100 Washington women diagnosed with breast cancer every week. With early detection, a woman has a 98 percent  chance to survive this disease. However, continued government budget cuts, and now the threat from sequestration, make it increasingly important for the local Puget Sound community to step up and support access to early detection for low income and underserved women in the region, according to the organization.

Seventy-five percent of net funds raised at the gala will be spent in the Western Washington community to provide free mammograms and breast cancer treatment support.  Komen Puget Sound is the largest private funder of free mammogram screenings to low-income women in Washington State. The remaining 25 percent of donations goes directly to fund global medical research to better diagnose, treat and ultimately cure breast cancer.

“I’m gratified and overwhelmed by the generosity of our donors and sponsors who came together to raise $650,000 for our cause,” said Cheryl Shaw, Komen Puget Sound executive director. “This support will make a significant difference in our ability to fight breast cancer and provide vital services in the Puget Sound region.”