February 16, 2005
Purdue Cancer Center teams with Purduettes for benefit concert
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Musical Organizations' all-female singing group, the Purduettes, will perform upbeat music as part of the second annual Purdue Cancer Benefit Concert on March 4 in Indianapolis.
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A welcoming reception will start at 7 p.m., followed by desserts, entertainment and information about breast cancer treatment and prevention. The event will be at The Columbia Club, 121 Monument Circle.
Angela Buchman, a 1996 Purdue graduate who is now a meteorologist on WISH-TV in Indianapolis, will be the master of ceremonies. The Purdue Cancer Center and Purdue Musical Organizations are sponsoring the event.
"Community response to our first benefit concert last year was overwhelming," said Purduettes director Deana Broge. "We're honored to be able to showcase our talent along with the work that the Purdue Cancer Center is doing to fight this disease that seems to touch so many people."
One of the guest speakers will be Katie Behr, student manager for the Purduettes, who will talk about her research project that focused on breast cancer. Last summer she was awarded a research fellowship from Purdue's School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and School of Veterinary Medicine that was funded by the U.S. Army.
"I want to let people know how many opportunities there are at Purdue to be involved in the great research that is happening right on campus," Behr said. "I'm amazed that I have the chance to lend a helping hand in finding a cure for cancer. I am also blessed to be involved with the Purduettes, who genuinely care about this disease and want to lend their talents to help such a noble cause."
A tax-deductible gift of $30 per person is required to attend the concert, and formal dress is requested. There will be complimentary valet parking and a cash bar.
All proceeds will go toward an endowed scholarship that will alternate every year between a PMO student and a student doing research at the Purdue Cancer Center.
The Purduettes created the event last year because many of their members have been affected by cancer, including Maggie Kleinhenn, a Purduette who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Kleinhenn, now a senior in elementary education from Noblesville, Ind., travels around the state speaking to different groups about the importance of having an annual exam.
"Being a Purduette has been such an important part of my life," Kleinhenn said. "I try to share my experiences as an ambassador for Purdue as well as my fight against cancer to audiences throughout the state."
The Purduettes formed in 1942 during World War II when the Glee Club men marched off to service. Today, there are more than 40 women forming the group that takes their Glee Club sound around the country.
Writer: Maggie Morris, (765) 494-2432, maggiemorris@purdue.edu
Sources: Deana Broge, (765) 494-2839,dbroge@purdue.edu
Maggie Kleinhenn, (765) 497-1305, mkleinhe@purdue.edu
Katie Behr, (765) 494-8716, kbehr@purdue.edu
Gwyn Zawisza, PMO contact, (765) 496-6091, gzawisza@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
PHOTO CAPTION:
Maggie Kleinhenn, in foreground, a senior in elementary education and a cancer survivor, rehearses with the Purduettes for the second annual Purdue Cancer Benefit Concert March 4 in Indianapolis. A welcoming reception will start at 7 p.m., followed by desserts, entertainment and information about breast cancer treatment and prevention. The event will be at The Columbia Club, 121 Monument Circle. The Purdue Cancer Center and Purdue Musical Organizations are sponsoring the event. (Purdue News Service photo/David Umberger)
A publication-quality photo is available at https://www.purdue.edu/uns/images/+2005/purduettes-cancer.jpg
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