Dear Friends,

The second annual "Picture the Cure" is underway and we'd like to invite you to be a part of this special event to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.

First and foremost, you are cordially invited:

Picture the Cure 2006
August 21 (Monday)
6pm-midnight
The Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen Street West

Advance tickets: $10
At the door: $15

Our goal for this year is to raise at least $5,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society who, along with the Terry Fox Foundation, is the primary source of funding for the National Cancer Institute of Canada. The Canadian Cancer Society:

* funds research on all types of cancer
* offers comprehensive and credible information on cancer, risk reduction and treatment
* provides support for people living with cancer, family members and friends

We have the support of the Ontario branch, and have their endorsement to include their logo and name to promote the event.

Our plan for August 21:

300 attendees
100+ matted and framed prints on display for silent auction with artist information
live entertainment
door prizes/raffles
light fare

How you can help:

1. Photography/digital imagery/painting

You can enter up to three pictures to the auction gallery, but once your submission is accepted, there will be an entry fee of 35$ CAD per photograph to cover the printing/framing costs (lower price for smaller pictures, minimum $20 CAD). You will be provided with a ftp account to upload your full resolution picture to a secure server. This picture will also be featured on the "Picture the Cure" website (in the works), along with your biography and link to your personal website.

There will be no other hidden fees required from you. The reason I am asking for a participation fee is because all prints will be handled at once and printing/framing costs are much more affordable this way. The goal is to donate as much money as possible to the foundation and we can only achieve this by minimizing expenses.

The costs for printing, matting, and framing for photography/digital imagery are as follows:

12x18, 12x12 - $35
8x12, 8x10 - $30
5x7 - $20

Please note the above prices are at cost. If you wish to provide the print, contact us for adjusted prices. We'll need ALL SUBMISSIONS by the end of June so they are ready in time.

2. Sponsorship

We are also still searching for sponsors for the following:

- catering
- live entertainment
- items for raffle (autographed merchandise, books, certificates, spa vouchers, or the like -- Botox injections? subscriptions to "Martha Stewart Living"?)

If you've got friends who do catering, are in the entertainment biz, or have any goods or services we can promote the hell out of on August 21 in the name of charity, send them our way!

3. Volunteers

If you would like to lend your assistance at the Gladstone, we will be only too glad to delegate. Please let us know.

Last but not least, thank you in advance for all your help -- we greatly appreciate it.

Your devoted organizers,
Irina and Gail