By BECCA OWSLEY
The News Enterprise
ELIZABETHTOWN, October 23, 2008 — With pill box hats and designer gowns, Jackie Kennedy Onassis became the example of class, grace and elegance. Photographs that capture some of that charm will be on display tonight to raise money to fight against the disease that took her life 14 years ago. The photos were taken by internationally known and Kennedy family photographer Jacques Lowe. The collection of 28 photographs was taken from 1959-1960 and was gifted by Lowe to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in 1998.
These prints are all that remain of the collection because negatives were destroyed in the World Trade Center attacks on Sept. 11.
Many of the photos are candid shots of Onassis with her family and show a part of the Kennedys' lives before the White House.
“I’ve seen the photographs and they’re pretty touching,” Rhonda Pitts, event committee chair, said.
The photos are in tribute to “Jackie O.” Donations taken at exhibits of the photographs benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society because Onassis died of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 1994.
“The photographs were gifted to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to draw attention to our cause as one that affects all ages and walks of life,” Jen Pitts, campaign manager with the Kentucky and Southern Indiana Chapter of LLS, said.
The LLS is a voluntary health organization whose purpose is to provide funding to blood cancer research, education and patient services. LLS’s mission is to cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin’s disease and myeloma and improve the quality of life of patients and their family.
The organization estimates that 138,530 people in the United States will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma or myeloma in 2008. These blood cancers will account for nearly 9.4 percent of the year's cancer deaths. In Kentucky, an estimated 2,100 people will be diagnosed with a blood cancer and 790 will loose their battles this year.
All proceeds from the local exhibit will benefit LLS. Donations will be accepted at the door and the reception will include hors d’oeuvres catered by Stone Hearth Restaurant, a cash bar and silent auction.
Copies of the book “Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, A Tribute by Jacques Lowe” also will be on sale to benefit the organization. The book contains more photos from the collection and quotes from many who knew Onassis.
The collection will be on display and open to the public from 6 to 9 p.m. tonight at First Federal Savings Bank, 2323 Ring Road in Elizabethtown.
Rhonda Pitts is excited to bring the photographs to Elizabethtown, and said the event takes her back to her memories of history.
“The event is an opportunity to pay tribute to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, who faced cancer with the same style and grace that made her an American icon,” Jen Pitts said. “We hope to raise awareness about this important cause while helping people in our community who are battling blood cancer as she did.”
Organizers hope people come to mingle at the event and enjoy the historical photographs.
“We also hope they make a little donation when they leave,” Rhonda said.
For more information, contact Jen Pitts at (502) 584-8490 or jen.pitts@lls.org.
IF YOU GO
The photographs will be on display from 6 to 9.m. tonight at First Federal Savings Bank. Donations will be accepted at the door.
