From Tragedy to Hope

By: Lauren Maidrand
Posted In: Campus News

On Oct. 17, 2009, the Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope will host the first Angel’s Masquerade Ball in Ochre Court at 6:30 p.m. The event is being held in memory of Glenna Kohl, a Salve Regina graduate who passed away after a three-year battle with skin cancer.

After her diagnosis in 2005, Glenna Kohl became an advocate for skin cancer awareness. Her mother, Colleen Kohl, continues to spread Glenna’s message through the organization named in her honor. According to the organization’s Web site, “Glenna never wanted anyone to have to go through what she did, and we are dedicated to carrying on her fight for Hope.”

Glenna Kohl graduated from Salve Regina in 2005 with a degree in business finance. Oct. 2, 2009 would have marked her 27th birthday.

The Masquerade Ball guarantees to be a night of excitement as costumed guests sip cocktails and mingle, but in the absence of the person being honored, guests will be reminded of the event’s more somber underlying message.

The event will include dinner, drinks, dancing, raffles, and a live auction. Proceeds from the ball will be donated to melanoma awareness and research as well as to a scholarship for Salve Regina students.

Several artists from around the country donated original works to be auctioned, including Massachusetts’ artist Rae Bacigalupo. Music will be provided by Kahootz, a Boston-based band with eclectic talent.

This month’s issue of Cosmopolitan features an article on Glenna Kohl entitled “A Death from Suntan at 26.” The article tells Glenna’s story, from her love of the beach to her misdiagnosis to her battle for life. The article also provides information about skin cancer detection and prevention.

For more information on The Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope, visit http://www.glennasfund.org/index.html. Tickets for The Angel’s Masquerade Ball are $100 and can be purchased through the Web site. Students interested in volunteering at the event may contact community.services@salve.edu.

Donations to the Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope can be made online via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr or through check or money order to Glenna Kohl Fund for Hope 1153 Race Lane Marstons Mills, MA 02648.