The Reporter – Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Keynote speaker for this year’s Solano Midnight Sun Foundations fundraiser Sept. 23 will be Dr. Thomas Hopkins, a board-certified doctor of internal medicine who will speak about rapid advances in breast cancer treatment.
The annual Midnight Sun fundraiser benefits Solano County women and men afflicted with breast cancer.
Hopkins completed his internship and residency at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, from which he graduated with honors in 1992.
Also speaking will be teacher and artist Heidi Marble, who at age 34 in 2000 was diagnosed with inflammatory breast cancer and was given a very poor prognosis. Now considered a breast cancer survivor, Marble is the founder of Undone-Home of Buttons-N-Dollars, a foundation through which she creates art pieces out of costume jewelry and buttons. Her striking artistic creations are sold and auctioned to raise funds in the fight against breast cancer.
The Solano Midnight Sun Foundation was founded in the spring of 2004 to assist male and female breast cancer survivors who are enduring severe financial difficulties because of the disease. To date, more than $100,000 has been raised and numerous grants have been awarded to Solano County residents afflicted with breast cancer. Co-founders Elizabeth Fry and Debbie Wood are both breast cancer survivors.
Last year, the organization funded free mammograms for uninsured or underinsured Solano County women. The program, which was facilitated through North Bay Medical Center, will be repeated again this year.
As in past years, this year’s fundraiser will take place at the home of Fry and husband Mark Shaw. Themed, “An Evening in the Valley,” it will feature an elegant dinner served by the renowned Alex’s Catering from Vallejo, live music from Push Play, wine tasting by Purple Pearl and St. Supery Wineries and a silent and live auction. Well- known local auctioneer Joe Gates will facilitate the live auction.
Tickets for the event are $125 each. Each ticket holder will be entered into a drawing to win a $1,250 credit toward Princess Cruise to the Mexican Rivera or the Caribbean. The prize was donated by Galaxsea Cruises.
Tickets are expected to sell quickly. For information and tickets, call 469-9909.