"I didn't have a good doctor," Nadine Bognar announced, causing a moment's consternation. "I had a great doctor," she continued, beaming at oncologist Dr. Stanley Marks. He had just introduced Mrs. Bognar, who was being honored by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia, at its annual gala Thursday. She credited Dr. Marks with helping her to live with leukemia, one of so many people affected by blood cancers including lymphoma, myeloma and MDS (Myelodysplastic Syndromes). Some are as young as 6-year-old Sydney and 4-year-old Lauren Richmond, sisters and honorees who greeted guests with a smile and a program.

Las Vegas on the Mon at LeMont drew 446 guests for a fun evening of dining and gaming, helping to raise more than $250,000 for research and patient services. The gala was co-chaired by Dan and Dorothy Brailer and Jeffrey and Paula Conn, with Dr. Marks as honorary chair. Dr. Mounzer Agha and Kathy Hays received Circle of Life Recognition before mingling with guests including presenting sponsors Anna and Ed Dunlap (the owners of LeMont), Dr. Chris and Laurie Olivia, Ellen and Jack Kessler, Dolores and John Barber, Rich and Marsetta Schweiger, Bill Gorman, Mike and Debbie Barbarita and Ritchie Scaife.

Mackenzie Carpenter's video program, "Omnivore," is available exclusively at PG+, a members-only web site of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details.