GALA IMAGINES A CURE FOR CANCER

The Imagine Gala, a fundraising event to benefit the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Connecticut Health Center, took place Oct. 18. Two-time Tony winner James Naughton entertained with his one-man cabaret. This year’s honorees were: Peter J. Deckers, M.D., who recently retired as the health center’s executive vice president for health affairs and dean of the UConn School of Medicine; Michael Economos, founder of the Hartford nonprofit Lea’s Foundation for Leukemia Research; and Donald “Dee” Rowe, former UConn men’s basketball coach, a cancer survivor and longtime university ambassador. Pictured, from left, are: Carla Schwartz, chair, Imagine Gala Committee; Naughton; Debra Rostowsky, committee member; and Dr. Carolyn D. Runowicz, director, Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center.