Women of Hollywood Gather for Barbara Davis’ Carousel of Hope Luncheon

When Barbara Davis calls, Hollywood answers. Davis kicked off 30 years of raising millions for diabetes with a luncheon in celebration of her upcoming 30th Carousel of Hope Ball which will honor Jane Fonda, Sidney Poitier, Sherry Lansing and David Foster on Oct. 8. 

Presenters include Denzel Washington, Anjelica Huston, Quincy Jones and Carole Bayer Sager, and Jay Leno and Foster will return as master of ceremonies and musical director, respectively. George Schlatter will return to produce the show while Quincy Jones and Clive Davis will return as the music chairmen.

Melanie Griffith, Joanna Poitier, Jolene Schlatter, Candy Spelling, Alana Collins Stewart, Linda Thompson, Arda Yemenidjian and Mareva Georges Marciano were among the guests who lunched in The Peninsula’s Verandah room on Wednesday afternoon in Beverly Hills in support of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation which Davis founded with her late husband Marvin (former owner of 20th Century Fox) after her daughter Dana was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. 

Davis’ Ball has become a Hollywood staple, which George Schlatter’s wife Jolene states is “definitely in the top five.”  Mavis Leno, told THR that she and her husband Jay don’t hit up as many Hollywood events as people might think they would, but they have always admired Barbara’s philanthropic efforts. 

“She inspired me to get off my ass and go out and follow my activist passion which is feminism and human rights abuse around the globe,” said Mavis Leno. “Diabetes is like forest fire to America. Not just America either. You couldn’t pick a better issue because children suffer from it.”

“We’re so impressed with her that she has built a hospital,” added Jolene.” She’s relentless, tough, she’ll tackle you if she thinks you can help her cause and we admire her so much.” 

Davis gave remarks on the growth of her foundation in treating diabetes patients as she was joined by Dr. Robert Slover from the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Denver, Colo. She reminded guests that if they are a part of Hollywood she will not stop pursuing them to support the cause. 

“If you want to know everyone or have a lot of friends, buy a studio,” joked Davis. 

(L-R) Arda Yemenidjian, Mareva Georges Marciano, Barbara Davis, and Linda Thompson. (Courtesy of Slate PR)

Related Stories

Related Story

Jane Fonda, Sidney Poitier, Sherry Lansing, David Foster to Be Honored at Carousel of Hope Ball (Exclusive)