The American Cancer Society’s 2011 Silver Dollar Ball takes place next April but the steering committee is already hard at work. They kicked off the gala planning with a brunch on August 28 called Breakfast With Tiffany.

The event, in a word? Brilliant.

Gleneagles Country Club was the scene, for this brunch celebrating cancer survivors and honoring Kimberly Alexander from the Tackle Cancer Foundation. Dramatic crystal showers and shimmering silk swathed the room, thanks to the event stylings of the team at Fauxcades, Dallas’ premier creative event design firm.

Guests were greeted by hosts Apryl Iley, Amy Wagner and Sherri Vrla, the present and past chairs of the Silver Dollar Ball.

The title sponsor was Tiffany & Co. (naturellement). Also underwriting the brunch were Chubb Group of Insurance Companies and Swingle Collins & Associates, who have generously supported the Silver Dollar Ball this year.

Other Silver Dollar Ball notables were on hand, including Mardi Ferrier, owner of the XO Ranch; Dawn Neufeld, Ball publicity chair (and a very entertaining Mistress of Ceremonies); Tracy Lockhart, who is heading up the silent auction; Mindi Storey-Johnson, Decorations Chair; and Wenter Blair, 2011 Underwriting Chair and 2012 Chair-Elect with her lovely daughter McKenna.

The fun began immediately, as servers poured champagne and mimosas into flutes with intriguing little numbered tags on the stem. “Wine charms at a country club? No. Can’t be”… and in fact, the tag was one’s “reverse raffle” number. Tiffany & Co. had generously donated a signature key pendant in platinum and diamonds.

Every guest was in the drawing to win it, but the catch was that this brilliant bijou would go to the very last number drawn. Immediately, the room was filled with guests hoping they would not be called!

Fortunately, the consolation prizes were very comforting: every tenth number drawn on the way to the diamond pendant received a book from Tiffany & Co., and the 50th number drawn (so close!) received a jeweled iPhone charger case from Heart’s Desire (who also graciously donated the exquisite Italian paper and printing for the menus).

As we dined, the gorgeous Kimberly Alexander took the stage to share the story of her husband, Elijah. A nine-year vet of the National Football League, Eli Alexander was no stranger to hard battles and physical challenges. He and Kimberly created the Tackle Cancer Foundation during his five-year battle with multiple myeloma. Eli passed away in March 2010.

After Kimberly shared her family’s story of strength and hope, we were treated to a fashion show of Tiffany & Co. jewelry, over dessert—petits fours from J. Dorian Chocolatiers, iced in Tiffany blue.

The lovely ladies modeling pieces from Tiffany’s top collections were all cancer survivors, whose stories Dawn shared as they floated among our tables. We all oohed and aahed (and coveted) over the necklaces, bracelets, rings, and earrings from noted designers like Elsa Peretti, Paloma Picasso, and Jean Schlumberger.

But while the jewels were glamorous and stunning, they paled compared to the breathtaking grace, determination, and courage shown by the models, each of whom had fought back valiantly and won out against a dreadful, deadly disease. Everyone in the room was renewed in our conviction to beat cancer and support organizations that are fighting it.

Finally, it was time for the final number to be drawn for the Tiffany diamond pendant. (I confess, dear readers, that I made it as far as the last ten numbers… and while it might be gauche to admit, I was fervently hoping to win. That reverse raffle just makes one so competitive!)

And the lucky lady was Meredith Arnold, a two-time past underwriting chair for Silver Dollar Ball who has worked tirelessly for American Cancer Society. Meredith went up to receive her pendant, and we all thought, “Couldn’t have happened to a nicer girl!”

But, wait… you don’t know the rest of the story!

Meredith thanked Tiffany & Co., and then she asked Kimberly Alexander to join her on the stage. Meredith said that she was so touched by Kimberly’s story, and her work to carry on Eli’s legacy, that she wanted Kimberly to have the pendant. Such a beautiful gesture.

(I mean, really. Instead of the lovely cut crystal bowls that each guest received from Tiffany, maybe hankies would have been a smarter choice as a favor?

Oh, who am I kidding… I’ll wear waterproof mascara to the next Silver Dollar Ball event, and I’ll keep the blue box, thanks!)

The golden bubbles, the twinkling crystals, the shimmer of tears of inspiration and courage, the sparkle of diamonds and platinum, the melodic laughter of friends… Breakfast With Tiffany was simply brilliant.

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We couldn’t fit all the pics here, so check out the photo album at Facebook.

For more information about the 2011 Silver Dollar Ball, bookmark the official site and check back for event details.

Florals: Ashlilium of Flowerama

Table photo by Gary Bradford Photography.