Intimate Exchanges

The event: An intimate outdoor concert featuring saxophonist David Sanborn. Staged at the Hyatt Newporter, the Sunday event was sponsored by the Sandpipers, a support group of the Hoag Cancer Center in Newport Beach.

Keeping cool: Grammy-winner Sanborn was the cool man on a hot summer evening, sporting shades to block out a glaring sun and performing tunes from his album “Songs From the Night Before.”

About 200 guests enjoyed a pre-concert reception and buffet before joining more than 1,000 Sanborn fans on the green. “People can come here and relax. It’s a great summer party,” said Barbara Shapiro, event chairwoman. “This is our second summer jazz concert. We’d been looking for another fund-raising venue, and the Hyatt gave us a home.”

Longtime friends: Founded in 1975, the Sandpipers is one of the oldest volunteer organizations of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian of Newport Beach. The hospital’s cancer center provides a variety of patient services, including transportation to and from chemotherapy sessions.

“The center offers a tremendous amount of support for patients and their families,” said May Fong, president-elect of Sandpipers.

Quote: “Some of our members are cancer survivors, or they’ve lost someone close to cancer,” Fong said. “That’s why we’re so passionate about this cause.”

Bottom line: The concert was expected to net about $10,000 for the Hoag Cancer Center, which treats 1,700 new patients each year.

Faces: Dr. Robert Dillman, medical director of the cancer center; Eric Jensen; Randy and Bonnie Bohart; Elizabeth Perry; Derek Petrak; Mike Ferry; Melanie Salata Fitch; Dan Hogan; Warren Fong; Nick and Jeanette Shammas; and Mike Schuelke.

Volunteer opportunity: The Sandpipers seek new members. Call the Hoag Hospital Foundation at (949) 574-7208.