Portland, Ore.
Doernbecher Children's Hospital has emerged as the region's premier place to receive family-oriented, state-of-the-art treatment for children with cancer. More than 80 percent of Oregon's young cancer patients get their treatment at Doernbecher, with patient volumes quadrupling during the past five years.
The cancer facilities at Doernbecher are overflowing - and projections indicate that patient volumes will continue to grow during the next 10 years. As a result, efforts are under way to expand the Kenneth W. Ford Northwest Children's Cancer Center at Doernbecher Children's Hospital.
The cancer center expansion will receive the proceeds from this year's Heart of Doernbecher Dinner and Auction. This seventh annual event will be held 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 23 in the Portland Ballroom at the Oregon Convention Center. General tickets are $175 each, and patron tickets are $250.
The Donald C. and Elizabeth M. Dickinson Foundation of Rancho Santa Fe, Calif., has awarded a $150,000 matching challenge grant to the 2004 Heart of Doernbecher Auction. The grant will allow the foundation to double its auction revenues during the special appeal portion of the evening - matching dollar for dollar all donations (up to $150,000) toward the Doernbecher cancer center expansion.
This effort is spearheaded by Rebecca Dickinson Welch and Kris Dickinson, who will serve as the auction's honorary chairs, as well as the entire Dickinson Foundation Board.
The evening's events will include silent and live auctions that feature a wide range of unique items, including: fine artwork, packages that include trips to Paris and Hollywood, great parties, symphony and theater performances, private winery tours and restaurant gift certificates.
Plans for the $13.6 million expansion of the Kenneth W. Ford Northwest Children's Cancer Center at Doernbecher include: a new 22-bed inpatient unit, a 10-bed outpatient infusion center for chemotherapy treatments, an enlarged outpatient clinic, four pediatric intensive care rooms and relocation of crucial support services.
For further information or to purchase tickets, call 503 220-8344.