March 01, 2005
Genesis Foundation Hosts “Garden Gala’’ Featuring New Car Raffle, New Location
Davenport, IA – Someone may win a red Pontiac G-6 at the 16th annual Genesis Health Services Foundation Gala, set for 6 p.m. Friday, April 8, in the Rogalski Center Ballroom on the campus of St. Ambrose University.
In addition to the new location, with increased seating capacity, this year’s event, themed “Garden Gala,” features a raffle drawing for the new Pontiac valued at more than $21,000. Raffle tickets for the car are $10 each and can be purchased through the Genesis Health Services Foundation Office; at Quad City area Hy-Vee stores including Clinton and Muscatine; or from members of the Gala Committee.
Raffle tickets also will be sold at the KWQC-TV Women’s Lifestyle Fair, Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20. Raffle media sponsors are the Quad-City Times, WQAD-TV-DT NewsChannel 8, WFXN Fox Sports Radio 1230 and WOC Talk Radio 1420.
Additionally, more than a hundred live and silent auction items, including teak garden furniture, a guitar autographed by country music star Kenny Chesney, two entries in the Lexus Champions for Charity golf tournament, and lodging packages in Telluride, Colo., Siesta Key, Fla., and Kona, Hawaii, have been donated by area businesses and individuals. One of the more unique auction items is a chauffeured trip for six in a $100,000 luxury SUV limousine to Fox Valley Motorcars in St. Charles, Ill., to test drive a Lamborghini sports car. The round trip also includes dinner at Tuscany in Oakbrook, Ill. A listing and description of the “Live” auction items can be viewed online. Attendees also will have a chance to win garden-themed prizes throughout the evening. The band, “Identity Crisis”, will provide entertainment.
More than $1.25 million has been raised from the previous 15 Genesis Foundation Galas. Money raised this year will go toward the purchase of ultrasound technology for patients with prostate cancer, the most common type of cancer found in American men, other than skin cancer. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be more than 232,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States this year and that 30,350 men will die of this disease. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in men, behind only lung cancer.
With the new, 3-D imaging technology, the therapist can get more accurate images of the prostate position. More precise targeting means higher radiation doses can be directed at the cancer, damage to surrounding healthy tissue is minimized, and side effects such as bladder irritation and diarrhea are reduced.
“This new system will allow Genesis patients to receive more effective and comfortable prostate cancer treatment,” says Amy Gellerman, Chairperson of the 2005 Gala Committee. “While Prostate Cancer Awareness month is in September, we hope our efforts will raise awareness about this disease every day and call attention to the need for early detection through regular prostate exams.”
In addition, the Gala Committee is pledging $50,000 from the event toward scholarships for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree in nursing at St. Ambrose University, the University of Iowa, Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Mercy College, Coe College or Clarke College. The scholarships are awarded as $5,000 forgivable loans, meaning repayment is waived if the recipients agree to work full-time at Genesis for two years upon completion of their degrees. It is the fourth consecutive year Gala funds will be used to address the nationwide shortage of nurses.
This year’s Gala Committee is Amy Gellerman, Drs. Michelle and LeRoy Yates, Julie and Peter Bush, Drs. Jamie and Matt Christophersen, Jennie and Dr. Chris Crome, Bernadette and Dr. Michael Cronkleton, May and Dr. Chris Cunningham, Kelly and David Cunningham, Courtney and Ed Decker, Cindy and Dr. Rick Flaksman, Susan and Edward Merschman, Diane Nelson, Carolyn and Gregg Ontiveros, Heather and Mark Ross, Terri and Jim Russell, Janet and Dr. Rick Sedgwick, Tammy and Ajay Singh, and Mary and Dr. James Stewart.
The Genesis Health Services Foundation exists to develop, manage and grant charitable support to meet the health-related needs of the Quad Cities and surrounding communities. Annually, it raises more than $1 million dollars toward community and Genesis Medical Center programs and services. Anyone interested in attending the Gala or making a donation may call the Genesis Health Services Foundation office at 563-421-6865.
