Mac's only child, Je'niece McCullough, kept his memory alive through his foundation which hosted a gala ball Saturday night to raise money to battle sarcoidosis.
"It just would have blown his mind if he could've seen all these people out to support him and love him," said the comedian's widow, Rhonda McCollough.
"As soon as they asked me, I was like, 'Yeah, I'll be there.' My son was at home, and he's like, 'Mom you gotta go do something with Bernie Mac!' So, I love his family, and I'm just honored to be here," said Sherri Shephard, a host on ABC's The View.
Proceeds raised Saturday night will go to the Respiratory Health and American Lung associations.
(PRESS RELEASE)
THE BERNIE MAC FOUNDATION
The Bernie Mac Foundation is dedicated to building a worldwide community of healthcare professionals, patients and concerned care givers working together to promote scientific research and education for our future! The Bernie Mac Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving care for sarcoidosis patients and to finding a cure for this disease. We are dedicated to a more thorough understanding of Sarcoidosis the disease, its impact on patients' lives and current opinion regarding treatment. This international community of thought leaders, healthcare providers (researchers and clinicians) and patients will raise funds to support research and create education-based opportunities for patients and their families. All donated monies will go to research for a cure through the Foundation for Sarcoidosis Research, the Respiratory Health Association and the American Lung Association. We also will raise awareness of this debilitating disease through worldwide networking and posting of new findings. Finally, we will help support individuals and their families where Sarcoidosis has created financial hardship. Started in 2007 by Bernie Mac and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the Foundation is chaired by Rhonda R. McCullough with Je'Niece N. McCullough.
THE BLACK AND WHITE BALL The Bernie Mac Foundation will be hosting a spectacular black-tie event October 2nd at the Peninsula in Chicago hosted by The View's Sherri Shepard and Comedian Joe Torry. You can mingle among top celebrities from local to nationally acclaimed artists, while perusing the fabulous silent auction items. Imagine your-self sipping cocktails and nibbling on tasty hors d'oeuvres above the hustle and bustle of the historic Chicago Water Tower and Chicago's famed Magnificent Mile. The evening will continue with an enchanting seated dinner, dancing to live entertainment and wonderful live auction items including Bernie Mac's personal Golf Clubs and Bag.
If you are interested in participating, please contact us through our website www.BernieMacFoundation.org and click on the Special Invitation icon. Just fill in the form and mail or fax to us to reserve your tickets for our gala event. Ticket prices are $325.00 per person, which will include all cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dinner and live entertainment at the spectacular Peninsula Hotel ballroom in Chicago. This will be a night to remember. Dust off your dancing shoes, and come join us for a night of magic moments.
