Rita Wilson To Receive Angel Award

   Actress Rita Wilson will be honored by the John Wayne Cancer Institute Auxiliary at the group's annual membership luncheon at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Thursday, October 19. 
   Wilson will be awarded the Auxiliary's Angel Award, which is presented annually to a woman who has made "a significant contribution to the community and serves as a positive role model." The Award and a $100,000 Post Doctoral Fellowship in Breast Cancer Research were created in memory of Ellen Cooperman, an early Auxiliary member. 
   Wilson, who can be seen in the recent motion picture, "Runaway Bride," is currently starring in the new play, "Dinner with Friends," at the Geffen Playhouse. 
   Previous recipients of the award include Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, author Judith Viorst, Ruth Handler, creator of the Barbie doll and founder of a firm that manufactures a revolutionary breast prosthesis for women with cancer, and KCBS-TV anchor Ann Martin. 
   Co-chaired by Sandy Cohen and Donna Rosen, the luncheon will feature a Fall Holiday Collection fashion show. Auxiliary President Ina Lewis expects nearly 1,000 guests at the event. Tickets are $100, which includes membership in the Auxiliary. 
   The group raises funds for the Cancer Institute at St. John's Health Center in Santa Monica. It is generally regarded as one of the top cancer research and treatment centers in the world. In its 17 years, the Auxiliary has raised more than $10 million for the Institute, which was founded by the late actor's family following his death from cancer in 1979. 
   October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.