Diamond jewelry, an antique gun and University of Kansas items are among the many goodies collected for the St. Rose Ambulatory & Surgery Center auction to benefit local cancer patients.
The annual event is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Club at StoneRidge. The silent auction and social hour begin at 6 p.m., followed by the live auction at 7:30 p.m.
“This is our eighth year of trusting in the generosity of central Kansans on behalf of our patients at Heartland Cancer Center,” said Mark Mingenback, St. Rose director of business strategy and marketing. “Some patients are uninsured and others are under-insured. The money we raise at our auctions and golf tournaments goes a long way to easing at least some of their financial stress.”
St. Rose owns Heartland Cancer Center. In the last seven years, the annual events have raised $384,000.
The KU items in the live auction include a basketball signed by Coach Bill Self and football by Coach Charlie Weis. The Midwest Cancer Alliance is sponsoring the basketball.
“Since St. Rose is now a Midwest Cancer Alliance member, they wanted to show support for our patients,” Mingenback said. “We appreciate everything they do for us each day and for this special effort.”
The live auction once again will include the U.S. flag that was flown in Iraq on Sept. 11, 2007, in honor of the St. Rose golf tournament and auction. Jamie Hutchinson, R.N., cancer center director, originally donated the flag. She served as the chief nursing officer at the 447th EMEDS in Iraq and made arrangements to fly the flag.
“We decided to make it a revolving auction item each year,” Mingenback explained. “Buyers donate it back to the cancer center where it is displayed in the lobby with donors’ names.”
Last year, the flag raised $16,900 from 24 bids. Patty Degner Keenan will match up to $5,000, as she did last year.
Other live auction items include a big screen TV, iPad, Winter Park, Colo., vacation, Coach and Burberry handbags, and two tickets to a Dallas Cowboys game and lodging at the Gaylord Texan Resort.
The silent auction will offer jewelry, watches, cosmetics, gift cards, golf-related items, car detailing, lawn-care packages and baskets filled by St. Rose employees.
Each ticket to the fundraiser is $35, which includes heavy hors d’oeuvres. Tickets can be purchased at St. Rose or Heartland Cancer Center, 204 Cleveland; by calling 620-786-6163; or visiting www.stroseasc.org.
Kenny Schremmer of Schremmer Realty, Auction & Appraisers will serve as auctioneer and singer Melanie Ryan will perform.
The St. Rose Golf Classic, which is part of this annual fundraiser, is set for Monday, Oct. 1.