tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14215370.post112689259479794116..comments2023-10-31T07:29:17.510-07:00Comments on = LNews =: Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Survivors Group Celebrates 10 YearsLNewsEditorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15516265929045096334noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14215370.post-1126892640284899232005-09-16T10:44:00.000-07:002005-09-16T10:44:00.000-07:00JIC Post:By RYAN LEE Southern VoiceAFTER ALMOST 1,...JIC Post:<BR/>By RYAN LEE <BR/>Southern Voice<BR/><BR/>AFTER ALMOST 1,400 PEOPLE showed up for the Atlanta Lesbian Cancer Initiative Garden Party last year — more than doubling the expectations of organizers — ALCI representatives got a call from the operators of Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, where the event was held.<BR/><BR/>“They called us the week after last year’s party, saying how much they enjoyed it, but also how they thought we’d outgrown them,” says Linda Ellis, ALCI executive director.<BR/><BR/>To accommodate the more than 1,200 people expected to attend this year’s Garden Party on Sept. 25, ALCI moved it to the Georgia Freight Depot downtown.<BR/><BR/>In its 10th year, the Garden Party is billed as the largest predominately lesbian gathering in the Southeast. It serves as the group’s biggest fund-raising event each year.<BR/><BR/>“About a quarter or a third of our budget each year is through the Garden Party,” Ellis says. “But it’s also become a community outreach event.”<BR/><BR/>The history of the Garden Party closely parallels that of ALCI, Ellis says.<BR/><BR/>About a dozen women attended the first event in 1996, which was held in the backyard of Linda McGehee and convened as a support party for her ALCI co-founder Dennie Doucher, who was battling breast cancer.<BR/><BR/>The event evolved into an annual tradition, and ALCI blossomed into a recognized resource for women dealing with cancer, their partners and other supporters. <BR/><BR/>ThE 10th Garden Party also marks another change for ALCI, which officially broadens its scope with a name change to the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative at the upcoming fund-raiser.<BR/><BR/>“We know a little bit more about lesbian health in general, and we know in addition to having a higher risk for various forms of cancer, lesbians have a higher risk of heart disease and other illnesses,” Ellis says. “The Health Initiative is really going to work to promote advocacy and disease prevention — we’ve got to get us as a community living healthier lives.”<BR/><BR/>Admission to the event is free, but the ALHI benefits from money raised through donations, raffle ticket sales and bids in a silent auction.<BR/><BR/>A black 2006 Harley Davidson Sportster 883 and a red 2006 Vespa scooter are among items included in the party’s raffle. Tickets for each raffle are $50 and sales are capped at 350 tickets to increase the chances of winning.<BR/><BR/>“Women and men seem to love both of those prizes over the last couple of years,” Ellis says.<BR/><BR/>Travel packages from the lesbian-owned Olivia Cruises headline the list of silent auction items, Ellis says. Other silent auction items include passes to restaurants, artwork, clothing and other travel packages, she says.<BR/><BR/>PRIOR TO the Garden Party, ALHI plans a VIP Host reception, during which the organization presents its annual Dennie Doucher Healing Angel Award.<BR/><BR/>This year’s award goes to Dorothy Gallaway, founder and director of Family Health Enterprise, a health clinic located in Cabbagetown.<BR/><BR/>Gallaway started the clinic in 1994. <BR/><BR/>“I wanted to practice offering total health care — mind, body and spirit — and I wanted to do it my way,” Gallaway says. “I wanted to offer it to underserved communities — to those in need, to lesbians and gays, to elderly and to children.” <BR/><BR/>Gallaway adds that she is deeply moved to receive the award.<BR/><BR/>“I do what I feel is my best for people who come into the clinic, and for that to be recognized in such an honorable fashion — I’m floored,” she says.LNewsEditorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15516265929045096334noreply@blogger.com