UH Seidman Cancer Center's 5 Star Sensation Raises $1.5 Million for Cancer Research and Services

CLEVELAND — Northeast Ohio’s premier food and wine event – Five Star Sensation – was a five-star success, raising $1.5 million for cancer research and services. Under the canopy of three sprawling tents, 1,800 guests enjoyed the delicacies of renowned chefs and vintners on Saturday, June 15, on the eastern campus of Cuyahoga Community College.

The biennial event, which was presented for a seventh time by Huntington Bank, has raised nearly $22 million since its inception in 1987. Led by Host Chef Michael Symon, more than 50 chefs and vintners from across the country treated guests to an array of culinary delights, many of which were prepared over a three-day period leading up to the event.

“On behalf of the entire UH Seidman Cancer Center family, we are so deeply appreciative of the tremendous support our Five Star guests, chefs, and vintners provided. Funds raised through Five Star Sensation directly benefit our cutting-edge research and lifesaving clinical trials, which are hallmarks of Seidman Cancer Center,” said Honorary Chair Theodoros Teknos, MD, President and Scientific Director of UH Seidman Cancer Center.

Guests were also treated to the stories of cancer survival. Digitally displayed high above the food and wine booths were the smiling faces of UH cancer survivors and their stories: breast cancer survivor Ebonee Woods-Hughes. “UH is filled with excellent caregivers,” said Ebonee. “I feel relieved to know I’m in the hands of such a great team.” Also acute myeloid leukemia and bone marrow transplant survivor Jason Labay, ovarian cancer survivor Gina Lorenzo.

Funds from the benefit support UH Seidman Cancer Center physician-scientists’ innovative work to identify promising new therapies as well as community cancer screenings, cancer information services and public education programs. UH Seidman Cancer Center prides itself on multidisciplinary care, innovation in treatment and therapies, surgical expertise, survivorship programs and patient and family-centered care. UH Seidman Cancer Center is part of the National Cancer Institute – designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University – one of only 45 such centers in the country.