In the fall of 1974, Bette Lee Severson, who had terminal cancer, called Laura Killingsworth, her best friend and asked her for a favor. She wanted to use Laura's home and her help with this new idea she had. They made a list of friends and invited them to Laura's home to hear about creating a Cancer League for fundraising and awareness. Fifty ladies gathered together on that warm autumn day, and Betty poured forth her ideas. Only a few of those present were aware that Betty was living on borrowed time.
Shortly thereafter, Betty, Frani Ridder and her mother Yo Yo Armour, along with Sandy Gill met at Lia Gaspar's home. They discussed fundraising ideas and Frani spoke of a dinner dance she chaired in New York, where an auction of services was held during the intermission. Bingo! That was it! They all admitted later they didn't know what they were getting into! The event was held at the Ridder Estate, where the grounds were massive and included, among other things, a tennis court.
That answered the question of where to stage the event. The first year, the kitchen was a disaster, complete with grease on the ceiling, and with every fuse blown, the lights went out on the tennis court. But it was the beginning of a great organization. Some of the top bid items: A Long Beach Street to be named ($6,500), a round of golf for two with Bob Hope ($2,600), and a 15.0 troy ounce of pure gold ($9,100). And so the seed that was planted by Betty Lee Severson grew up to become the Long Beach Cancer League, whose fundraising event continues.
To date, the Long Beach Cancer League has raised over $11 million for cancer research, advocacy and patient support services since 1975. Proceeds currently benefit the Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Institute at MemorialCare Children’s and Women’s Hospital and MemorialCare Todd Cancer Institute at Long Beach Medical Center.
Thank you to our valued members, past and present,
for their dedication and commitment over the last 49 years
