On April 24, the Cancer League, Inc. hosted its 10th annual Spring Soirée event at Trader Vic’s in Emeryville, CA. The “shopping for survivorship” event raised an estimated $156,000 for groundbreaking cancer research, thanks to generous sponsors, attendees, in-kind donors, and over 20 vendors that donated 25% of their proceeds from the evening’s sales.
The bay views and beautiful Polynesian décor at Trader Vic’s were the perfect backdrop to this year’s Soiree. Two hundred guests gathered for a Mai Tai reception, passed hors d’oeuvres, and the choice of two sumptuous buffet dinners. Upon arrival VIP attendees received a fresh Hawaiian Lei greeting from Oakland Flower Mart. A fabulous raffle included items donated from Cavallo Point, Veronica Beard, and Ariel Gordon Jewelry. Guests also enjoyed tarot readings by Adriana Bels Systemic Tarot.
Event co-chairs Sasha Bainer and April Gruber Shalev executed a flawless night of shopping, mingling and most importantly fundraising to support early-stage, cutting-edge cancer research that truly impacts treatment and patient therapies.
“Spring Soiree was a huge success this year!,” said Bainer. “Not only was the party fabulously fun but we also beat our fundraising goal. Trader Vic’s was the perfect backdrop for a festive upbeat evening. We are grateful for our guests who shopped and sipped in support of cancer research and for all the sponsors, donors and vendors who joined us in our effort. April and I are so honored to have been the stewards of Soiree again this year and to help a cause that is so dear to our hearts.”
The lead event sponsors were Dan and Stacey Case Family Foundation and Gloria Gruber. Additional sponsors include Sasha Bainer, Mary Jane Lowenthal, Sally O’Neal, and April Gruber Shalev.
April and Gloria Gruber 
Kia Moore Designs
The Cancer League is thankful to the vendors, sponsors, in-kind donors, and attendees for making this year’s Spring Soirée a huge success. “A huge shout out to everyone who supported the Cancer League at this year’s Spring Soiree!” said Cancer League President Jenna Caldwell. “Everyone from our sponsors, in-kind donors, vendors who graciously donated 25% of their night’s proceeds and everybody who just came out for a fun-filled evening of sipping and shopping! We couldn’t continue to support our mission of seeding the cure without your generosity and support.”
Save the date for our signature holiday event, The Holly Ball, on Friday, December 5, 2025.
Tamara Vayson, Beverly Roberts Charles, Rachelle Hebrard, Geraldine Vayson 
Tonya Antonucci and Giscela Delventhal
About Cancer League
The Cancer League is a San Francisco Bay Area nonprofit that funds groundbreaking cancer research at its early stages. Since our inception in 1973, we have raised and donated over $7 million toward the fight against cancer. We have an average yearly allocations budget of over $500,000 and our average grant size is between $10,000- $75,000. Our work takes on a special significance given that each of our members has coped with cancer either personally, within their family, or in their circle of friends. The Cancer League is a charitable 501 (c)(3) organization.
