The very much anticipated Date For Life Event took stage last Thursday, February 7th, at the Graves 601 Hotel located in the heart of Minneapolis. I can testify that we had the presence of quite beautiful people! It was a fun, upbeat party that raised almost $60K for the Children's Cancer Research Fund - record breaking!

Attendees were welcomed and served cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while mingling with the bachelors and bachelorettes whose dates were auctioned at the height of the party. The silent auction offered endless options for the timidest of the crowd while presenters announced the schedule and instructions for the bidding.

Beautiful smile before the auction

Graves 601 Hotel - 5th floor Party Room

Providing meaning to the cause was the ever so gentle Lynn Porferl, whose daughter Katie bravely lost a battle against cancer and inspired the Date for Life's Committee (supported by It's Just Lunch) to put together a successful event of friends, singles and generous people in her memory.

Lynn shares Katie's story

Before the live auction, the audience was treated to a heartfelt live presentation of the latest media sensation Zach Sobiech, who has found comfort and peace in his music, while battling cancer at the age of 17.

Click to watch the official video for "Clouds" - the same song Zach played for us:

Bachelors and Bachelorettes were presented on the stage and announced their date packages to a room full of life. The bids were rolling in when the silent auction gave room to the live auction of the top 10 partricipants. It was loud, busy and very rewarding, with dates ranging from hundreds to several thousands of dollars!

Fun, loud & busy: Tim's date package is up for grabs

After the battle, Tim and the winner for his date were photographed wearing huge smiles

Carly and the winner of her date package - she was also a presenter for the evening

Sara, one of the winners, and the last auctioned date package of the night, a star party with KDWB's Lucas

At the end of the night, Date for Life had it's best year yet, raising nearly twice the amount of funds when the event was first created.

I feel very fortunate to have been asked to come out and photograph the guests and winners, to see first hand how inspirational and plain amazing it is when you party with a purpose. Thanks to Carrie Eldridge, who dropped my name in the hat for this event, and to Lynn Porferl for her trust and support. You ladies are awesome!

See these and more photos below:

Click the links below to see images provided by the other amazing photographers who collaborated to cover this entire Event:

Studio Laguna

Minnesota Monthly

P.S.: Missed the Pre-Event? Check it out here!