To mark Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, the Mike Slive Foundation will host its annual gala fundraiser Beyond Blue on Sept. 26, celebrating sports fandom while raising awareness for prostate cancer.
Honoree for this year’s gala will be prostate cancer survivor Hatton Smith, CEO emeritus of Royal Cup Co.
Presented by Medical Properties Trust, Beyond Blue, formerly known as I’m With Mike, will take place at UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. It will feature meet-and-greets with sports heroes and live and silent auctions offering sports memorabilia, tickets and VIP experiences.
ESPN and SEC Network reporter Laura Rutledge will emcee the event, organized by co-chairs Tommy Brigham and Clete Walker.
“(Smith) has so generously given back to this community. In sharing his story of being a prostate cancer survivor, we hope that we can continue to help change the dialogue around prostate cancer, said Anna Slive Harwood, executive director of the foundation. “This was my father’s vision, and we want to help find a cure so we can all move beyond the blue ribbon and end prostate cancer.”
Smith sits on the foundation’s board, one of his many professional and personal philanthropic endeavors. He also serves on the Birmingham-Southern College board and is an executive committee member of the Birmingham Business Alliance.
In addition, Smith was instrumental in fundraising efforts to revive UAB’s football program, materialize plans for the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex’s Protective Stadium and build the Rotary Trail.
Proceeds from Beyond Blue will support the foundation’s efforts to eradicate prostate cancer through public awareness and research funding.
For more information, visit mikeslivefoundation.org/beyondblue.
—Emily Williams
