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Old Hollywood Glam is the theme for a special charity event

Renee Carter, president of cancer charity Melange, is gearing up to host a casino night where people can get their gamble on for a good cause. The event takes place on Saturday at the Bermuda Society of Arts. (Photo by Tamell Simons)

Itching to get your gamble on this weekend, but not up to spending hundreds of dollars to get to Las Vegas or Atlantic City?A casino night organised by cancer charity Melange may be the perfect fix.The charity will host an event full of old Hollywood glamour on Saturday, from 7pm to 10pm.The Bermuda Society of Arts will be the spot to play everything from slots, craps, roulette, poker, crown and anchor or test your luck at the slot machines.Renee Carter, the charity’s president, said the ticket price — $100 in advance or $125 at the door — would get you a fun night out with music and entertainment.On top of that your support will help some of the Island’s cancer sufferers pay for necessary medication.“If you are living in an environment and not paying attention to what is around you, you don’t need to come to this event,” said Ms Carter.“But if you are consciously living [and know] there is one in four people who have cancer, or if you just have a love for gambling, but can’t get to Vegas or Atlantic City or New Orleans, then you need to come here and get your jones knocked off because this is the place to do it.“We are just trying to encourage as many people as we know to take money in order to give money and definitely have fun at the same time.”The ticket price includes hors d’oeuvres, a signature cocktail and 25 chips to test your hand at the gambling tables.There will be a silent auction, cash bar and area where people can also buy extra chips if desired. At the end of the night the top winners will have the chance to win prizes from travel vouchers to spa gift certificates.With a theme of Old Hollywood Glam, organisers encourage people to come out in their best bling, fancy suits and dresses like film stars Cary Grant or Mae West.There will be a DJ and Power 95’s (Captain) Keevil Burgess, will be the night’s MC.Added Ms Carter: “We are so excited about putting it together because of the preparation it involves. [The Melange team] are all naive when it comes to gambling, but the beauty is people who come are not watching their personal money go down the drain, it’s really being donated towards a cause.”Melange started off as an annual charity event for breast cancer support several years ago, but was recently awarded charity status and has been able to broaden its scope.Back in March, charity organisers held a popular speed dating event. After this weekend, they are gearing up for a small bake sale and movie night, before the traditional Melange event rolls around again in October.Ms Carter, who is in the process of her own cancer treatment, said raising money for people battling the disease was of the utmost importance.“I cannot accept that there are mothers, daughters, sisters [and] girlfriends bravely enduring cancer who are having to choose between eating and surviving,” she said.“People don’t realise I am as sick as I am, they look at me and say ‘you look good’. Well I can give you a can opener and peel me back and then you would change your mind.”She said it was difficult at times to have to put her own illness to the back of her mind and focus on the charity’s work, but she believed in its mission of helping people.She works closely with Dexter Johnson and cancer survivors Ronda Lewis, Gina Anderson, Theresa Ebbin to get the fundraising work done.“I chose to be a part of Melange, I chose to put it forward as a charity, which means I really have to be at the forefront, which means I have to set aside what I personally am feeling to take on the job and that is what I do.”She said donations this year have been “very, very slow” although companies like KPMG, the Kane Group and Endurance, have continued their support.“We are working with what we can get and we love mentioning that we have these groups helping us, because some like to stay under the table and we have to honour that, but at the same time these companies may not understand that they have helped us tremendously to do what we need to do.”Tickets are available online, www.flytix.bm.Useful website: www.melange.bm.