Newswise — The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Saks Fifth Avenue will join forces April 27 at a cocktail and store preview event to celebrate the recent Saks Fifth Avenue move within the all-new Galleria III. Saks Fifth Avenue is contributing 100 percent of ticket sales and 10 percent of the evening’s store sales to benefit MD Anderson’s Moon Shots Program, an unprecedented effort to rapidly reduce deaths from cancer and transform care.

“We’re grateful for Saks Fifth Avenue’s generous support of our mission to end cancer,” said Ronald DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “This event is sure to be the talk of the town, and everyone involved can feel good knowing they’re supporting our Moon Shots Program, which is leading to lifesaving advances for cancer patients in Houston and around the globe.”

Attendees will enjoy the opportunity to support MD Anderson while touring and shopping at the new store before it officially opens to the public on Thursday, April 28.

Special guests include Marc Metrick, Saks Fifth Avenue President; Designer Erdem Moralioglu, Founder and Creative Director of ERDEM; and MD Anderson event chairs Yvonne and Rufus Cormier, Isabel and Danny David, Courtney Hill Fertitta and Jason Fertitta, Janet Gurwitch, Denise Monteleone and Claire Cormier Thielke and Rick Thielke.

MD Anderson and Saks Fifth Avenue first teamed up nearly 20 years ago for the opening of the retail destination’s current location in the Houston Galleria. Ticket sales benefited the Nellie B. Connally Breast Cancer Fund at MD Anderson.

“Once again, we’re excited to partner with MD Anderson in celebration of yet another milestone for Saks Fifth Avenue,” said Bobby Dees, vice president and general manager, Saks Fifth Avenue Houston. “Too many individuals, not only in Houston but all over the world, have been plagued by this devastating disease. We hope that in this small way, we can help MD Anderson get one step closer to finding a cure.”

Tickets for the VIP cocktail reception, beginning at 6 p.m., are $750, and tickets to the main event, beginning at 7 p.m., are $150. For more information or to secure a ticket, please contact 866-262-9039 (press 5 to leave a message) or email [email protected]. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the event.