Odyssey Ball Nets $300,000

John Wayne Cancer Clinic Auxiliary’s Odyssey Ball April 6 at the Beverly Hilton netted $300,000 for research and the treatment of cancer. Jackie Banchik is auxiliary president. Ellen Cooperman, Diane Feldman and Mara Squar were co-chairs.

* National Multiple Sclerosis Society received more than $100,000, proceeds from the 23rd annual fashion show luncheons sponsored by Volunteers in Multiple Sclerosis April 6 and 7 at the Beverly Hilton. Proceeds will support research and services. Ann Michael chaired the event.

* French Foundation for Alzheimer Research netted more than $300,000 at its “Very Special Moments with Very Special Friends” gala April 7. The event, hosted by French Foundation Founding Associates at the Century Plaza, was attended by 650. Elaine Smoots is foundation president. Marilyn Willson was event chair.

* South Bay Center for Counseling raised $10,000 at its food and wine festival March 17 at Mangos Restaurant. Fifty restaurants, wineries and other businesses participated.

* Hadassah’s program for retraining Soviet physicians, dentists and nurses who have recently immigrated to Israel has received a $30,000 donation from Judith and Stephen Krantz. The program enables individuals to return to their professions or to fulfill educational goals.

* USC’s School of Public Administration has received a $300,000 gift from Kaiser Permanente to improve health care in Latino and other minority communities. The contribution endows two graduate fellowships to support emerging and established Latino and other leaders in the school’s master in health administration program.

* American Diabetes Assn. netted more than $83,000 at its March 1 “Big Bands at the Biltmore Encore.” The periodic event, sponsored by Foothill Associates, has raised $500,000 to find a cure for diabetes and to sponsor programs for people with the disease.

* Catholic Charities, Didi Hirsch Community Mental Health Center, El Nido Services, Lennox School District and Opica Adult Day Care Center shared a $119,000 gift from United Way’s Western Region. The funding, awarded March 4, serves as start-up money, emphasizing innovative programs to address changing community needs.