They weren't telling fortunes at the 11th annual Crystal Ball, but trying to raise one for the Greater Baltimore Medical Center's Cancer Center. The Mildred Mindell Cancer Foundation fund-raiser also honored GBMC Cancer Center director Dr. Gary Cohen, celebrating not only his work, but his 50th birthday as well.

Nearly 500 people turned out at Martin's West to toast the good doctor, including his wife, Charlene; Bob Kowal, president of GBMC Healthcare; Doug Smith, GBMC Foundation president; Craig Randall, administrative director of radiation oncology at GBMC; Patti Neumann, cancer survivor and a patient of Cohen; Dr. Dolores Dixon, GBMC oncology specialist; Jewel Martin and Sylvia Shapiro, Mildred Mindell co-presidents; Marcia Glickman and Judy Frankle, event co-chairs; and Heiko Osterchrist, CEO of Metro Distributing Co. Inc.

This Crystal Ball brought something good to the future of the Cancer Center -- at least $55,000 for the center's new Navigator Program, which will guide cancer patients through their medical experience.