Honor Ball to Celebrate 35 Years of Community Philanthropy

Feb. 5 event benefits Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- One of the Valley's most enduring, fun and successful black-tie events, The Honor Ball presented by Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation, is celebrating its 35th edition on Feb. 5.

Great entertainment, great food and no silent auctions mean the focus is on fun, cementing The Honor Ball's reputation as one of the Phoenix area's best black-tie dance parties. More than 25,000 have attended since 1977, raising over $9 million to support patient and community services at Scottsdale Healthcare.

The 35th Honor Ball benefits the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare, which opened 10 years ago as the first major cancer center in greater Phoenix to offer comprehensive cancer treatment, research, diagnosis, prevention and support services in a single location.

World-class cancer care is already here for residents of greater Phoenix. Thanks to its national reputation for innovative care and access to many first-of-its-kind cancer treatments, thousands of cancer patients from across Arizona and the U.S. seek care at the Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare.

"Cancer patients in our community already have access to this ground-breaking, world-class care and research right here in their own backyard," said Mark Slater, Ph.D., vice president of research at Scottsdale Healthcare. "Our goal is reducing the time it takes to get new treatment discoveries from the research lab to the patient, and we are pleased that proceeds from The Honor Ball will support this important work."

The Honor Ball recognizes an individual, couple or group who made a vital impact on Scottsdale Healthcare.

Honorees of the 35th Honor Ball are Natalie and Ed Gaylord in recognition of their community service, philanthropy and support of Scottsdale Healthcare, including the new Gaylord Family Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center. Ed Gaylord also serves on the Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees and is chair of the Scottsdale Healthcare Community Cancer Advisory Committee.

The Honor Ball's heritage can be traced to the summer of 1976, when the late Paradise Valley philanthropist Virginia G. Piper was inspired by the St. Francis Hospital Crusader's Ball in Evanston, Ill. She thought, "If they can do it, why can't we?" The Honor Ball began with and continues to receive outstanding support from Scottsdale Healthcare physicians and their wives, community leaders and area businesses.

The Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center is named for Mrs. Piper, whose charitable trust donated $15 million as a cornerstone grant to establish a comprehensive cancer center at Scottsdale Healthcare.

The 35th annual Honor Ball will be held in The Phoenician Resort Grand Ballroom, with entertainment by The Jacqueline Foster Orchestra. Cocktail reception begins at 7 p.m., with dinner at 8 p.m. and dancing at 9 p.m.

The Phoenician Resort is located at 6000 E. Camelback Rd. in Scottsdale. Tickets start at $500 per person or $1,000 per couple, and tables start at $7,500; call 480-882-4510 or click on www.shc.org/honorball.

Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Scottsdale Healthcare, the not-for-profit parent organization of Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn Medical Center, Scottsdale Healthcare Shea Medical Center, Scottsdale Healthcare Thompson Peak Hospital, Virginia G. Piper Cancer Center at Scottsdale Healthcare and Scottsdale Healthcare Research Institute. For more information, visit www.shc.org.

SOURCE Scottsdale Healthcare