On June 24 2011, His Excellency, the Italian Ambassador Folco de Luca Gabrielli and his lovely wife Nilou de Luca Gabrielli hosted an Italian Gala dinner cum auction at their residence to raise funds for EMPOWERED’s next colorectal cancer screening campaign. The guests were treated to an evening of great Italian food, fine wines and live Italian music.

Arriving guests were greeted by the sound of Latin music by Edgar Estrada on the guitar. During dinner, Edgar and string quintet led by Daniela Rodnite and Christopher Brandt entertained the guests with Italian songs and pieces by Italian composers.

Dinner was prepared by a visiting chef Tiziano Rossetti who flew in from Colorno, Italy to cook for the occasion. A splendid Italian feast was enjoyed by the donors. Delicacies included mushroom carpaccio with truffles, marinated prawns, steamed lobster garullese style, cream of peas with shrimp, oven baked mussels, risotto with 24-carat gold flakes, chicken with bell peppers, barramundi in salt, vegetarian lasagna, penne with pesto a and clams, octopus, potato and olive salad and delightful Italian pastries and desserts. The tables overflowed from inside the residence to al fresco dining by the swimming pool.

Following dinner, 25 precious items donated by generous sponsors were auctioned. Items that were auctioned that night included European and South East Asian antique pieces from the 19th and 20th century, watches, paintings, designer silk shawls, liquor, Persian silk carpet and a return air ticket to Rome. The guests generously bidded for the items.

We extend our deep appreciation to the His Excellency and his wife for their tremendous support and to our guests who believe in EMPOWERED's vision to reach out to the poor communities in Malaysia to help them in their fight against cancer.

And a special thanks to the organising committee, musicians and volunteers who worked hard to make the event a great success.

Thanks to the following sponsors for supporting this event a success (in alphabetical order):

• Beam Global
• Bingley Iskandar Abdullah
• Cyberview Resort & Spa
• Carlsberg (Malaysia) Bhd
• Euro Asia
• Ms.Karen Lee
• Mdm.May Leong
• Malaysia Airlines System Berhad
• Metadesign (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
• Ms Narong Daun
• Mdm Nicolin
• The Sompoton Spa
• Spa at Mandrian Oriental
• Sonia Lee
• Star Hill Living. Com Sdn Bhd