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Penske Exec to Chair Cancer Charity at Viper and Prowler Plants

13 April 1998

Black Tie Meets Viper and Prowler as Leuliettes, Penske Lead Effort to Raise $650,000 for Barbara Ann Karmanos Center Institute

    DETROIT, April 13 -- Metropolitan Detroit community and
industry leaders are revving up their engines to raise $650,000 for the drive
against cancer.
    The Barbara Ann Karmanos Center Institute 16th Annual Dinner will be held
Saturday, May 9, at the Chrysler Corporation's Conner Assembly Plant
Detroit -- home of the Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler.  Honorary Chairs of
the event are Penske Corporation President and COO Timothy Leuliette and his
wife, Cindy.
    "The Viper and Prowler plant, a symbol of automotive industry innovation,
provides the ideal setting to celebrate innovation in the fight against
cancer," notes Leuliette, a member of the Institute's Board of Trustees.
"Cindy and I are proud to lead this effort.  We want to make a difference for
our children -- and their children."
    The Beach Boys will headline the event.  The Beach Boys' classic songs and
harmonies have embodied the spirit of America to a worldwide audience.  Their
first hit, Surfin, in 1961, was followed by a string of chart-topping songs,
including Surfin USA, Little Deuce Coupe, Surfer Girl, Fun, Fun, Fun, Help Me
Rhonda, I Get Around, California Girls, and Wouldn't It Be Nice.  The band hit
the top of the charts again 27 years later with the hit Kokomo.
    The Beach Boys were originally formed in 1961 by brothers Brian, Carl and
Dennis Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Alan Jardine.  Tragedy
struck the band in February, 1998, when Carl Wilson died of cancer.
    To date, the Institute's annual dinners have raised nearly $6 million in
support of its cancer research, treatment, education and outreach programs,
including research aimed at detecting lung cancer in its earliest, most
treatable stage.
    Event co-chairs are:  Connie and Robert Eaton; Eleanore and Richard
Gabrys; Judy and Lee Gardner; Joyce and Rick Inatome; Patricia and Thomas
Jeffs, II; Debra and Peter Karmanos, Jr.; Lydia and John F. Smith, Jr.;
Valerie and Alexander Trotman; and Marilyn and Kenneth Way.
    "Detroit's not only the Motor City, it's a hub of generosity and
compassion," said William P. Peters, M.D., Ph.D., the Institute's president
and CEO.  "This is a testament of the new sense of spirit and togetherness in
Metro Detroit."
    Tickets for the event are $250 per person, $500 for friends, and $750 for
patrons.  Dinner patrons are also invited to attend a special May 1 pre-gala
celebration at the Leuliette's Bloomfield Hills home.  For ticket information,
call Lisa Zanlungo, 800-KARMANOS (527-6266).
    The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute is one of the nation's leading
cancer research, treatment, education and outreach centers.  It is affiliated
with The Detroit Medical Center and Wayne State University, and supported by
several area United Ways.
    Visit the Institute on the Internet: http://www.karmanos.org

SOURCE  Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute