Jackki Kennedy, her three sisters and mother all have been diagnosed with breast cancer. One sister, Michelle Denise Penn, tragically died from breast cancer at the young age of 27, leaving behind five small children, all under the age of 10. Jackki herself suffered reoccurring diagnoses of breast cancer on and off for several years.
Now in remission for ten years, Jackki Kennedy decided to move forward with her longtime goal of raising funds for cancer programs in Delaware to give other people the fighting chance at survival. She aptly named the event after her sister Michelle Denise Penn.
On November 1st, the MDP Cancer Fund (MDPCF) held its 12th Annual Kennedy Black and White Ball to benefit The Cancer Special Needs Fund at ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center held at Harry’s Savoy Grill and Ballroom in Wilmington.
Dr. Estelle Whitney, a gynecologist at ChristianaCare, was recognized with the annual Spirit of Service award. The evening’s emcee Joyce Dungee Proctor, an author and certified career coach, energized guests with powerful remarks and introductions of MDPCF President Jackki Kennedy and Gordon Brownlee, Director of Major Gifts at Christiana Care.
While proceeds are still being tallied, last year the MDP Cancer Fund donated $5,000 to ChristianaCare’s Helen F. Graham Cancer Center following the Black and White Ball.
