Arlington Park TV analyst Christine Gabriel, a three-time cancer survivor, will he honored as a recipient of the Cancer Treatment Research Foundation (CTRF) "Superhero Award" Saturday night. The "National City Bank Gala 2004: CTRF Heroes for the Cure" event will include dinner, dancing, auctions and a moving tribute to two superheroes in the fight against cancer. Chicago media celebrities Merri Dee from WGN-TV and WMAQ-TV's Art orman will co-host this black-tie event in The Imperial Ballroom at The Fairmont Chicago. The program will honor this year's CTRF Superheroes, Gabriel and Dr. Dan Nixon, president of the Institute of Cancer Prevention. Gabriel, who will be honored for her tireless work to increase awareness of and funding for cancer research, is the founder of the Riding For A Cure Foundation. For the past three years, Gabriel has gathered Arlington Park horsemen, employees, sponsors and fans to volunteer, participate, donate or promote an all day, 20-mile trail ride and fundraiser. It culminates with a dinner that includes live and silent auctions to help raise money for cancer research. The event has raised more than $130,000 since its inception. In 2002 Gabriel also established the annual "Penny Chenery Distinguished Woman in Racing Award," an invitation-only charity luncheon held at Arlington Park during the International Festival of Racing week.
In addition, Gabriel served with Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder as honorary co-chairpersons for the American Cancer Society's 2002 Relay For
Life at Arlington and was named to Northwest Suburban American Cancer Society's (ACS) Regional Leadership Council in April 2002.