Cancer Group Expands Its Circle : Two young women will speak at Hoag benefit; UCI center salutes Ed and Floss Schumacher.

Two brave women who in their teens waged and won personal battles with cancer will be the featured speakers at a Circle 1000 brunch on April 6 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach.

Diana Golden of Aspen, a world-class ski racer, and Susan Nessim of Los Angeles, founder of the national support group Cancervive, will address guests at the annual benefit that has presented speakers such as Betty Rollin, Nancy Reagan, Dave Dravecky and Peter Ueberroth.

“This is a little deviation from what we’ve done in the past,” says Arden Flamson, Circle 1000 chairwoman. “We’ve never had two speakers. These are outstanding, enthusiastic young women. Generally, our speakers have been older. The point is, cancer can strike at any age.” Proceeds will benefit the Hoag Cancer Center in Newport Beach. For ticket information, call (714) 645-8600.

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Saluting Floss and Ed: The International Children’s Choir kicked off the gala “Gift of Love” celebration that saluted Ed and Floss Schumacher at the Center Club in Costa Mesa on Saturday night.

The former Orange County residents--who now live in Palm Desert--were honored by the UCI Child Development Center and given its first James Satterfield Service Award. (Satterfield, who recently retired, was a forerunner in research for children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder and other learning disabilities.)

Dr. Frank Crinella, clinical professor of pediatrics and director of the developmental disabilities research program a UCI, was master of ceremonies.

Event proceeds of $25,000 will go toward development of a Child Development Center on the UCI campus.

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Can We CHOC?: Joan Rivers look-alike Dee Dee Hanson helped entertain patrons of Children’s Hospital of Orange County’s upcoming fashion show at the Center Club on Sunday.

Draped in gobs of pearls and sporting Rivers’ signature bumble-bee pin, Hanson worked the room, complimenting guests on their outfits and cracking them up as they dived into a buffet of chicken piccata, omelets, Belgian waffles and fruit.

Tickets are still available for CHOC’s I. Magnin fashion show, which will be staged on two consecutive days at the Anaheim Marriott: March 17 ($55 per person luncheon) and 18 ($100 per person dinner.) For information, call (714) 532-8675. Dana Davis is chairwoman.

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Sweethearts: More than 400 guests jammed the ballroom at the Four Seasons Hotel in Newport Beach on Saturday to honor Charles and Nora Hester--named Sweet Heart Couple by the Heart Committee of Hoag Hospital’s 552 Club.

During the festivities, gala co-chairmen John and Fran Applegate performed a pantomime that recalled eras from the couple’s life.

The Hesters were honored for their ongoing support of community projects. Proceeds of $120,00 will go to Hoag Heart Institute’s Cardiac Care Services Outpatient Center.

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Saluting a savvy leader: Opera Pacific’s Guild Alliance founder Laila Conlin was honored at a dinner held at the Center Club on Friday. Conlin, the guild president who took its membership from 100 to 1,100-plus in eight years, has been named guilds chairman. Gloria Gellman will succeed her as president.

“We’re glad this step doesn’t mean Laila is stepping down,” said Richard Deary, Opera Pacific’s director of volunteer services. “She’s a very savvy leader who believes that the way to keep an organization strong is to introduce new leaders with fresh ideas.”

Gala co-chairwomen were Ellie Burg and Margaret Price. Proceeds from the $60 per person event will go to Opera Pacific’s annual High School Vocal Competition.