Adam Pascal, Shoshana Bean, Tituss Burgess, et al. Set for IMAGINE Benefit, 5/7

University Hospitals Case Medical Center's Seidman Cancer Center is hosting IMAGINE: A Celebration of LIFE, a unique musical ensemble on Monday, May 7 in New York City. Led by Broadway actress and Cleveland native Betsy Werbel, the one-of-a-kind event raises funds for cancer research through the Brian Werbel Memorial Fund at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center.

IMAGINE, to be held from 7pm-11pm at the Highline Ballroom (431 West 16th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues), stars Adam Pascal, Shoshana Bean, Tituss Burgess, Matt Bogart, Lisa Howard, Richard H. Blake, Jennifer DiNoia, Marty Thomas, Adinah Alexander, Jeremy Kushnier, Katy Pfaffl, Ben Liebert and Betsy Werbel and features cast members from Broadway's Wicked, Memphis, Jesus Christ Superstar, Jersey Boys, The Book of Mormon, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, War Horse and Mamma Mia. The performers will collaborate to perform a compilation of music including original works, pop hits and rock 'n roll.

The Brian Werbel Memorial Fund was established to honor the memory of Brian, who passed away on May 7, 2007 at the age of 29. The mission of the fund is to advance clinical research on cancer-related initiatives, an area in which Brian was deeply involved.

"My hope for this evening is to not only raise money for cancer research, a passion and dream of my brother's, but to provide the audience with an insight into the kind of person that Brian truly was," says Betsy Werbel. "Please help me change this anniversary date, May 7, 2012 into a celebration of his life and making Brian's dream come true."

UH Seidman Cancer Center is part of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University, one of only 40 Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI). UH Seidman Cancer Center, which opened a 150-bed freestanding cancer hospital last year, is dedicated to innovative treatments and promising research through more than 300 ongoing studies aimed at cancer treatment and prevention.

"The support of The Brian Werbel Memorial helps our nationally recognized cancer center in its mission to translate scientific discovery rapidly to patient care," said Stan Gerson, MD, Director of the UH Seidman Cancer Center. "As a result, our patients and their families have access to the nation's most advanced technology, vast experience and promising treatments."

Ticket prices start at $175. For more information, go to: www.uhgiving.org/ImagineNewYork

University Hospitals serves the needs of patients through an integrated network of hospitals, outpatient centers and primary care physicians. At the core of our health system is University Hospitals Case Medical Center. The primary affiliate of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, University Hospitals Case Medical Center is home to some of the most prestigious clinical and research centers of excellence in the nation and the world, including cancer, pediatrics, women's health, orthopedics and spine, radiology and radiation oncology, neurosurgery and neuroscience, cardiology and cardiovascular surgery, organ transplantation and human genetics. Its main campus includes the internationally celebrated UH Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital, ranked among the top children's hospitals in the nation; UH MacDonald Women's Hospital, Ohio's only hospital for women; and UH Seidman Cancer Center, part of the NCI-designated Case Comprehensive Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University. For more information, go to www.uhhospitals.org

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/WM Photos