The Children’s Cancer Research Fund, a newly...

The Children’s Cancer Research Fund, a newly organized Los Angeles-based charitable organization dedicated to fighting childhood cancer, has just awarded $29,167 to Naomi J. Winick MD of the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas for research on children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and $24,390.54 to Brian Greffe MD for research on children with leukemia and lymphoma at the Children’s Hospital of Denver. CCRF was established in 1987 to provide national support for clinical research in childhood cancer and to improve the medical environment for all children.

--The American Film Institute Associates on July 31 presented the world premiere of “Parenthood” at the Director’s Guild Theater. According to Helene Tobian, President of the Institute, the net proceeds of $150,000 will continue to support the objectives of its founding chairwoman, the late Bonita Granville Wrather, by providing human and financial resources to advance the art of film and television in the United States.

--The Motion Picture and Television Fund netted $165,000 from its Seventh Annual Golden Boot Awards Ceremony on August 5 at the Registry Hotel. Actor Jimmy Stewart was the recipient of the award for lifetime achievement in Western film and television. Honorary chairs were Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and Clayton Moore.

--The Make-A-Wish Foundation Celebrity Tennis Tournament hosted by Martina Navratilova on August 5 at the Beverly Hills Country Club netted $250,000. More than 70 celebrities participated, including Kirk Cameron, Wayne Gretzky, Lola Falana, Wil Wheaton, Scott Grimes, etc. The Foundation is dedicated to granting the special wishes of children up to the age of 18 who have life-threatening illnesses. Michael Lewis was tournament chair.

--The ICAN Associates Celebrity Polo Match and Silent Auction on August 12 at the Santa Barbara Polo Club netted $13,000. Proceeds from the event, chaired by Jeffrey Ullman, will be used to help fight child abuse.

--The St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital benefit, held on August 12 at the Century Plaza Hotel, netted over $1 million. A portion of the money will also be used in the construction of a new AIDS research hospital with a hoped-for opening date in early 1990. Rose Marie Thomas was chair.

--Camp Dream Street, a camping program for children with cancer and life-threatening blood disorders, received a donation on August 19 of $10,000 from businessman Allen Ziegler. In making the donation to Dream Street, co-founded by brother and sister Patty and Billy Grubman, Ziegler noted that one of his fondest childhood memories was summer camp and he wanted all kids to have that experience.

--Project Angel Food, a new outreach program sponsored by the Los Angeles Center for Living, held a benefit on August 21 at the home of David Kessler, which netted $11,000. The program will fund hot meals and sack lunches to critically ill and home-bound Angelenos. Hosts were David Kessler, Louise L. Hay and Marianne Williamson.