Women & Cancer Event Luncheon & Silent Auction Raises Funds for Cancer Patients

CHATTANOOGA, May 2, 2008 - It all began with a hat and a “How-Deee!” as Minnie Pearl impersonator Cindy Moore worked the crowd recently at the inaugural Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation event. Nearly 270 attendees mingled and sipped nonalcoholic “bluetinis” in the Chattanoogan Hotel ballroom as they placed bids on many of the more than 150 silent auction items.

The fundraiser offered several sought-after and rare items, including tickets to the 2008 Tennessee/Alabama football game, a guitar signed by rocker Sheryl Crow, a trip to the Country Music Awards in Nashville, and a BMW Z4 convertible. Though no one took home the sports car, the auction and luncheon raised $25,000 for the assistance of cancer patients in the Chattanooga area.

WRCB reporter Jed Mescon kicked things off as master of ceremonies for the silent auction and luncheon. Before lunch was served, Chattanooga Mayor Ron Littlefield delivered a warm welcome and introduced the program. Everyone enjoyed a leisurely meal as the silent auction bidders entered final offers on items donated by well over 100 organizations, businesses and individuals.

Guest speaker Barbara Haskew, PhD, a distinguished professor of economics at Middle Tennessee State University and breast cancer survivor, took the stage to tell the story of her own cancer battle and share her unique way of keeping hope alive. Dr. Stephen DePasquale, a gynecologic oncologist from Chattanooga’s Program in Women’s Oncology, informed attendees about innovations in women’s cancer care.

“Everyone enjoyed themselves, and the event was a great success,” noted program coordinator Laura Robinson, oncology navigator at Parkridge Medical Center’s Sarah Cannon Cancer Center. “We are looking forward to next year being even better!” 

BMW of Chattanooga served as The Women and Cancer Event’s Title sponsor. WRCB, Chattanooga’s Program in Women’s Oncology, and Parkridge Medical Center’s Sarah Cannon Cancer Center served as Gold sponsors. Chattanooga Oncology and Hematology Associates Inc., Caring Senior Services and University Surgical Associates were the Bronze level sponsors of the event.

The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation is a public charity committed to benefiting cancer patients and their families by supporting new programs in cancer research, education, and patient and family services. Parkridge Medical Center’s Sarah Cannon Cancer Center is a Commission on Cancer-approved and commended facility that bears the name of the comedienne who created the character of Minnie Pearl, and who was herself a breast cancer survivor.  For more information, visit www.parkridgemedicalcenter.com or www.minniepearl.org.

About Parkridge Medical Center
Parkridge Medical Center, a multi-campus facility which includes Parkridge East Hospital and Parkridge Valley, is located in Chattanooga and is part of the TriStar family of hospitals.  Parkridge Medical Center, Inc. provides the region’s most comprehensive range of services including Accredited Chest Pain Centers, cardiac services, orthopaedics, neonatal intensive care, women’s services, outpatient services and psychiatric care. The Sarah Cannon Cancer Center at Parkridge provides the latest in diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Parkridge Medical Center was first in the region to perform advanced robotics surgery and, with over 500 cases performed, stands as the most experienced.  To learn more about Parkridge Medical Center, visit the Web site at www.TriStarHealth.com or contact TriStar Medline at (800) 242-5662.