Denim & Diamonds Gala this Saturday in Springfield
Simmons Cancer Institute (SCI) at Southern Illinois University Medicine will host its 23rd annual Denim & Diamonds Gala at 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 14, at the Crowne Plaza Springfield, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway. The glitzy fundraiser features auctions, raffles, live entertainment and fine dining. Guests are encouraged to dress in formal attire, denim, diamonds or mix-and-match for a one-of-a-kind combination.
The live and silent auction items include vacation-home getaways, gourmet dinners, sporting event tickets, original artwork, unique jewelry* and much more. Dinner will be followed by live music from One Night Only.
“Denim & Diamonds is very near and dear to my heart,” said Tonya Janecek, 2023 event chair. “Like many of you, I have a loved one who has been diagnosed with cancer. Sadly, l have also lost several family members and friends to this horrible disease. Cancer does not discriminate. Denim & Diamonds encourages our community to join together for a common cause. During the ‘Evening in Tuscany’ theme we have planned, your contribution will truly help make a difference.”
Limited tickets are still available for $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of 10. Call 217.545.2955 or register online at siumed.edu/cancer.
The annual Denim & Diamonds Gala generates support for local cancer research and programs that address the needs of Simmons Cancer Institute’s patient population. SCI clinicians view the physical aspect of cancer treatment as just one of the approaches to care. They are committed to healing the whole person and offer a variety of complimentary therapies, such as yoga and fitness classes, designed to improve patients’ lives, wellness programs and wigs. These are provided at no cost to all patients in the area, their family and caregivers, regardless of where they receive cancer treatment.
This year’s Denim & Diamonds Gala presenting sponsors are Qik N EZ; Memorial Health and Simmons Hanly Conroy.
Major sponsors are Isringhausen Imports; Jeff and Tina Bennett; Roland and Linda Folse; The Noonan Patton Group at Merrill Lynch; Junaid and Shanila Baqai; BRANDT; Pete and Melinda LaBarre; Levi, Ray & Shoup Inc. and Walgreens.
Media sponsors are Capitol Radio Group; Illinois Times; Mid-West Family Broadcasting and Springfield Scene Magazine.
The mission of Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU is to serve the people of central and southern Illinois by addressing their present and future cancer needs through education, research, patient care and community service.
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*One of the many raffle opportunities offers a spectacular prize package worth $10,000. The lucky winner can shop at Denney Jewelers’ showroom with a $5,000 gift certificate plus receive a gorgeous 3 tcw diamond tennis bracelet in 14K white gold. The raffle ticket will be drawn at the conclusion of the live auction, and the person need not be present to win. Tickets are 3/$50. The public can purchase tickets at www.aesbid.com/ELP/SIUDD23#special-item.
