Stefanie Strauss would have been 45 years old on March 23. This year, family and friends will mark the day, not with a birthday party, but with a fundraiser in her memory. Strauss died of ovarian cancer in 2006, one of 16,000 women claimed each year by a disease that is often detected too late. Strauss’ sister, jewelry designer Tamara Alter, and Candace Cohen started the High Heals Foundation for education and research into early diagnosis when chances for survival are far greater. Their debut event, a cocktail reception that night from 7-9pm at Neiman Marcus in Fashion Valley, features a documentary produced in conjunction with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition. Alter says the documentary fulfills “a huge promise” to her dying sister to continue advocacy for women. Proceeds from the sale of Alter’s Healing Hearts line of jewelry will benefit the foundation. (858/755-1309, www.highhealsfoundation.com)   ANDREA NAVERSEN