Richard

Thomas, an organizational development and effectiveness

consultant with over 25 years of experience in the

redirection of human behavior and performance in

coroprations, will be the guest speaker at the Hope Ball.

His connection with the American Cancer Society is his

son, Rett. In April of this year, shortly after his 14th

birthday, Rett was diagnosed with a distinctively rare

and virulent form of pediatric cancer known as Ewing's

Sarcoma.

Because of

how close this issue is to his family, Thomas is

establishing a charitable foundation called the RET

Pediatric Cancer Foundation. The foundation's mission is

to provide funds for costs related to the diagnosis and

treatment of childhood cancers and action and advocacy

supporting the early use of MRI and advanced imaging

technology as routine tests for diagnosing non-specific

symptoms of disease in children.

This will

be the last gala of the century. Tickets for the event

can be purchased by calling 770-460-8920.