The best stories often start at the end, and such is the case for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s gala at the Hyatt Regency Newport. It was the grand finale to a contest conducted to raise money for blood cancer research, and it honored the program’s participants—in particular, the two whose efforts stood out above the rest. But the 300 partygoers had to wait for the results. As the hours ticked by, they were entertained by aerial artists twirling above the scene, and they dined on culinary pro Paul Gstrein’s meal of braised short ribs and pistachio-encrusted jumbo shrimp. The final tally: Dr. Wayne Hogrefe and Felicia Alcaraz were crowned Man and Woman of the Year, and all 17 competitors collectively nabbed $356,000 for the org. Photos by Happy Photos