An Enchanted Evening in the Fight Against Cancer

Imagine a world without cancer. The Marco Island chapter of the American Cancer Society did just that on February 7 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort. The 2025 ACS Imagination Ball, Enchanted Evening, presented by Paradise Found Restaurant and chaired by Debra Shanahan for the thirteenth consecutive year, raised funds in the quest to eliminate cancer, as we know it, from our world. It truly was a night of enchantment as butterfly fairies welcomed guests to the Palms Ballroom for this black-tie optional gala. Guests enjoyed fine dining in the JW Marriott tradition, music by the Stacey Allison Band, and both live and silent auctions. Emceed by Lindsey Sablan, it was a night of elegance and celebration of life.  

The American Cancer Society is a volunteer-driven organization, and this event was no exception. Volunteers for the evening included familiar faces from several local organizations, including the Knights of Columbus, Columbiettes, San Marco CCW, Kiwanis, and Marco Island Woman’s Club.  

Gala Chair and ACS Volunteer Emerita Debra Shanahan welcomed the crowd, sharing her personal story of triumph over the disease. Shanahan was diagnosed with renal failure in June 2022. She began dialysis and was pursuing acceptance into the kidney transplant program when her life was turned upside down even further by a diagnosis of stage 2 uterine cancer. Fortunately, her cancer was treated successfully with hysterectomy and radiation. She will be eligible to apply for a transplant once again when she reaches her approaching two-year anniversary of being cancer-free.  

Shanahan’s story is evidence of the success that is being achieved every day by the American Cancer Society through their funding of research. “Every fifteen seconds, someone hears the words ‘You have cancer’,” said Sablan. “But someday soon we can end cancer, as we know it, for everyone.” Sharon Lockwood, General Manager of JW Marriott, was recently blessed with her first grandchild. She addressed the crowd saying, “I want Mason to never know the word ‘cancer’. ”Live auctioneer Rick Gallo shared his story of surviving prostate cancer but reminded us that the fight against cancer must go on. He wears a lapel pin in awareness of multiple myeloma, a form of cancer that stole the life of his brother-in-law.  

Perhaps the most profound message of the evening was conveyed in the featured survivor and caregiver’s story, shared in a video. Magen Hardardt was diagnosed with Stage 4 Her2+ breast cancer at the age of thirty-four. She is a loving mother of two beautiful children, ages two and four. Her diagnosis came out of nowhere, shocking her entire network of family and friends. Her husband Steven instantly became a caregiver, navigating the system of finding the right doctors who would provide the best treatments. He reached out to the Marco Island office of the American Cancer Society, where ACS Senior Development Manager Sue Olszak provided him with resources that have supported the Hardardt family on their journey. Magen underwent chemotherapy, including a successful protocol that did not even exist fourteen years ago. Thanks to ACS research, this treatment has provided an abundance of hope in treatment of Magen’s particularly aggressive form of breast cancer. Chemo was followed with a double mastectomy and radiation. The good news – Magen was there at the Imagination Ball, looking gorgeous, exuberant, and healthy with Steven by her side. The Hardardt’s love story touched my heart in a very personal way. In 2025, I will celebrate the 30-year anniversary of when I heard the words “You have cancer.” Magen, along with so many survivors, will always be my inspiration.  

It was paddles in the air in the Finish the Fight round to deliver a one-two punch to this monster of a disease that must be knocked down once and for all! The American Cancer Society appreciates the generosity and support of the Marco Island community.  

The American Cancer Society gratefully acknowledges Presenting Sponsor-Paradise Found Restaurant; Mission Sponsor  - Rick’s Island Salon and Day Spa; Photography Sponsor - Condee Cooling & Electric, Inc,/Lennox; Program Sponsor –JW Marriott Marco Island Resort; Silver Sponsors –Seminole Casino Hotel and Phelan Family Brands; Bronze Sponsors – Florida Gulf Coast University, NCH Healthcare, and Rotary Club Marco Island Sunrise;J ewelry Sponsor -Kathe in Jewelers (who provided the dazzling diamond earrings of the Diamond Dig, won by Tania Zapalski.);Patron Table Sponsors – Siegel Dental; Guerin & English, Private Wealth of Raymond James; JW Marriott Marco Island Resort; Foster Care Heating & Air/Islander Pool & Patio, Inc., 26 Degree HVAC; Morgan Stanley, The Strosnider Dudderar Group, Kent Strosnider, Stephen Macko, Jason Zapalski, Financial Advisors; 844 Gulf & Prime and Sand Bar; and Patron Couple Sponsors – Roxanne and Jack Fulop, Dianne and John Kernan, Cathy Rogers and John Toth, Patricia and Ron Rutledge, and Jill and Arne Sandberg.  

For more information about the Marco Island office of the American Cancer Society, please visit https://www.cancer.org or contact sue.olszak@cancer.org or 239-610-3032