Wine and Roses 2010 featured live and silent auctions, chocolate, art and music

 

story and photos by Ruby Dean
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Did you know that today, 1 out of every 4 Americans are diagnosed with cancer? Each day, 1,500 lives are taken by cancer. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States. In 2009, there were 192,370 new cases of breast cancer in females and 40,170 deaths.

The Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House in Fort Smith provides cost-free, non-medical support programs and services to approximately 2,500 River Valley residents and their family members a year.

Wines, dozens of beautiful roses, fine art, handcrafted necklaces, soft music and great food are just a few of the things that one could indulge upon at the 16th annual Wine and Roses fundraising event for the Donald W. Reynolds Cancer Support House.

Downstairs, the attendees could enjoy gourmet food, wines and soft music. The fine foods were catered by Case Dighero of Soul Restaurant and Lounge.

An event highlight was the live wine auction which was held upstairs. Also upstairs was a display of art by artists Patricia Lappin, Barbara Loftin, Jimmy Leach, Jane Davidian, Barry Thomas and handcrafted jewelry by Cindy Beller. All silent auctions ended at 10 p.m.

This year attendees also were able to enjoy a chocolate bar by Kopper-Kettle Candies and a coffee bar by Sweet Bay Coffee. Specialty and complimentary wine bars were located both downstairs and upstairs and were provided by In Good Spirits.

Scattered throughout the Support House were vases filled with one dozen red roses. For a donation, the rose bouquets could be dedicated to a loved one that had either died from cancer, survived cancer or battling cancer along with the donor’s name, and were available to take at the end of the evening.

Last year’s event raised more than $100,000 and they hope to raise more this year.  The support house helps about 2,500 River Valley residents a year providing cost-free, non-medial support programs and services to cancer patients and their family members.