Evergreen gala raises $1.16 million to help fund new cancer-detecting technology
Published 3:49 pm Tuesday, May 3, 2011
This past Saturday, the 10th annual Evergreen Healthcare Foundation fundraising gala raised $1.16 million to help fund revolutionary cancer-detecting imaging technology – the first of its kind in King County.
The “Evening in Paris” event, held at King County’s Marymoor Park, brought more than 700 Eastside community leaders, leading physicians and friends of the hospital together to launch a capital campaign in support of a new comprehensive cancer care center.
The gala transported guests to the City of Light for a night of philanthropy in support of Evergreen Hospital Medical Center’s commitment to expand its services to meet the growing needs of the community.
Along with the kick-off of the hospital’s cancer center capital campaign, Evergreen also announced a new partnership with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance that will enhance access to cancer care for the Eastside community.
“We are overwhelmed by the generosity of this community,” said Evergreen Hospital CEO Robert Malte. “Thanks to our many physicians, donors, supporters and partners, we are making great strides in our ability to provide the most up-to-date cancer treatment for our patients. Evergreen’s new imaging technology, made possible by th
is gala, will be the very first of its kind in the Seattle and Eastside area.”
A portion of the funds raised will help the hospital acquire breakthrough three-dimensional (3-D) mammography imaging technology known as tomosynthesis. Tomosynthesis is the first X-ray mammography device that provides 3-D images of the breast for cancer screening and diagnosis.
Beginning in June 2011, Evergreen will be the first King County hospital to offer tomosynthesis imaging technology to its patients from the hospital’s main campus in Kirkland, which will significantly enhance diagnosis and breast cancer treatment approaches.
The new technology will become part of a cancer center designed to achieve the best cancer treatments possible with comprehensive patient-support services, research facilities, and physician offices funded by a $10 million capital campaign.
The campaign, now underway, earned $1.16 million at this year’s gala with the help of many charitable donations, proceeds from live and silent auctions and an important legacy naming donation from the Elling and Barbara Halvorson family.
This year’s gala also honored the contributions of Jacob and Janet Green (above) with Evergreen’s annual Spirit of Giving Award. Jacob, a former Seattle Seahawk, and his wife Janet devote themselves to working with many local charitable organizations including the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Junior Achievement, American Heart Association, Boys and Girls Club, Veterans Hospital, United Cerebral Palsy, Yellow Stone Academy and Child’s Advocates.
