Community Gives Back to St. Joseph Hospital

More than 600 guests, including 105 physicians, local business leaders, staff and community supporters attended St. Joseph Hospital’s “Celebration 2009!” event in Orange County.

“We are very pleased with the contributions and raised $150,000 and the success of our ‘Raise the Paddle’ fundraiser,” says Dr. Connie Bartlett, Celebration Co-Chair and St. Joseph Hospital physician. “The proceeds will benefit the new hybrid operating room and The Center for Cancer Prevention and Treatment, while $46,000 from ‘Raise the Paddle’ was raised specifically for our biospecimen research program.”

Along with the dinner and entertainment provided by Pole Acrobats and France to California, the Spirit of St. Joseph Awards were presented to Dr. Michael and Jean Abdalla and Dr. James A. and Marilyn Padova. Over $46,000 was raised for the cancer center’s Biospecimen Repository Research Program during the “Raise the Paddle” event. Live Auction items included a Lakers Package with a signed Kobe Bryant basketball, a nine course homemade Italian meal, a getaway at a Winter Park, Colorado vacation home, and a diamond necklace for the opportunity drawing was donated by AA Jewel Box.

“We saw a significant decrease in sponsors and underwriters this year, but it did not stop the community from giving back,” adds Bartlett. “We would not be the facility we are today without the generosity and support of our business leaders, community members and our physicians.”