June 23, 2008 (RALEIGH, NC) — The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Medical Center in Durham will be one of the beneficiaries of  apportion of the proceeds from this year’s Mannequin Ball, a fashion and fine art gala to be held in the new Convention Center in downtown Raleigh in November, sponsored by Raleigh Metro Magazine.

The Tisch Center is one of the largest and most successful in the field, receiving the highest rating of “Outstanding” by a National Cancer Institute peer review group’s evaluation of the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center over the last ten years.

In 2008, Metro Magazine included Dr. Henry Friedman, deputy director of the Tisch Center, in its annual Who’s Who selection recognizing “ten of our fellow citizens who make a difference.” Dr. Friedman is one of the world’s top researchers in the field of brain tumors.

But Metro’s vice-president and chair of the Mannequin Ball, Katie Reeves, had a very personal reason for selecting the Tisch Brain Tumor Center as one of the recipients for Mannequin Ball proceeds. In February 2007, her step-son, Dan Reeves, was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma brain tumor and treated at the Tisch Center. Today, Dan is recovering successfully – and working full-time as a writer for Raleigh Metro Magazine.

“We sometimes forget how fortunate we are to have the world’s top brain tumor center right here in our community,” Reeves said. “The expertise and professionalism of the Tisch Center are the best in the world – that’s why Senator Ted Kennedy’s medical team selected the center here for his brain tumor procedure.”

Recently, Senator Kennedy passed over the facilities in his hometown Boston and other centers in the US and entrusted the Tisch Center with the surgery to treat his recently diagnosed brain tumor.

In Metro’s Who’s Who report, Dr. Henry Friedman said, “We know that a brain tumor is unlike any other disease. We take an aggressive team approach to find answers and provide hope. We play to win. We want survivors.” For more information on the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center, go to http://www.cancer.duke.edu/btc/.

The Raleigh Fine Arts Society will also receive proceeds from the Mannequin Ball. The group has been at the forefront of cultural activities in the region for 44 years, including three signature annual projects: the Artist’s Exhibition, the Literary Contest for Wake County schools and the student Choral Celebration.

Raleigh Metro Magazine’s Mannequin Ball has been called ”the best party in North Carolina” after the success of  two previous events centered  on fashion.  This year’s theme is “A Twist of the Big Apple.” Tickets are on sale now. For more information on becoming a sponsor or purchasing tickets, contact Katie Poole at 919-831-0999 or via email at katiepoole@metromagazine.net. Information and updates about the event are available at http://www.themannequinball.com.

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