Nov 12, 2007

Funding cardiac labs heart of gala's auction

By Janet Duca Norton / Society Columnist

There was a lot to celebrate at Sequoia Hospital Foundation's "Under the Harvest Moon" benefit on Oct. 27. A record-setting 479 guests turned out for the sold-out gala evening at Sharon Heights Golf and Country Club.

Chairwomen Sue Burns, Diane Chesler and Kris Sullivan planned an elegant evening that included a cocktail reception featuring a silent auction and fun "diamond bar," a live auction, a gourmet dinner in a festively decorated tent, and dancing to the music of the Fundamentals.

The chairwomen were thrilled the evening grossed more than $653,000 to help with the purchase of high-tech equipment for Sequoia's cardiac labs.
"For us, it was a labor of love," Burns said. "We were extremely grateful to all who participated and donated items for the auction."

For the third year, Geoffrey Stern of Geoffrey's Diamonds and Goldsmith of San Carlos presented a diamond bar. Guests had the opportunity to purchase one of 100 martinis selling for $100 in the hopes of winning one of three pieces of diamond jewelry. The winners included Sondra Weeks, who won a handcrafted ring in a floral design, Sandra Coolidge, who took home a diamond and multicolored stone pendant with matching earrings, and Diane Christensen, who walked away with a bangle bracelet fashioned with 109 diamonds. In a what-goes-around-comes-around scenario, Christensen, owner of San Mateo's Christensen and Rafferty Jewelers, donated a diamond and amethyst grape cluster brooch for the foundation's Summer Wine Auction event. Marie Zahn, who won the brooch and wore it to the gala, offered her congratulations to the lucky jewelry designer.

Known for his ability to create excitement and competition, professional auctioneer Frank Bizzarro achieved his usual outstanding results. Dr. Ed Katz donated the hotly bid upon, big-ticket item of the night - a completely refurbished 1946 slot machine from the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, which Bonnie Addario made the winning bid on.

The other hot item (that raised $10,000) was a catered dinner for 12 at chairwoman Burns' home that will be served by cardiac team doctors Bruce Benedict, Greg Engel, Nellis Smith, Roger Winkle, Edward Anderson, Hardwin Mead, Don St.Claire and Rob Patrawala.

An apartment in Cannes, France, donated by Mel and Carla Anisman, was so popular that Bizzarro managed to sell it twice, raising $15,200.

Dr. Charles Geraci and his wife Louise won the chance to be guests at a tailgate party aboard a private yacht before attending a San Francisco Giants home game in 2008. The couple will also have the opportunity to meet former player Willie McCovey and receive a bat signed by the slugger and a commemorative Barry Bonds bat.

The tagline on the invitations was "building with our hearts." Sequoia Hospital President Glenna Vaskelis announced that groundbreaking for the hospital rebuild will take place in mid-November.

Every year about 2,000 cardiac procedures are performed in two labs with procedure specific equipment, including one for cardiac catheterization and the other for pacemaker implantation. The announcement that a third upgraded lab (known as the "swing cardiac lab") will be completed by the end of this year, received enthusiastic applause. The swing lab will allow doctors the capability to perform both types of procedures, and will allow the hospital to serve about 400 more patients. The upgraded labs have been selected as the only West Coast beta sites equipped with the Hansen Medical robotic cardiac catheterization system.

"Philanthropic support through the foundation's gala events and campaigns contributes significantly to Sequoia's ranking as one of the top cardiac care programs in the nation," renowned cardiologist Dr. Winkle said. "As doctors, we are able to work in updated state-of-the-art facilities, allowing us to do our very finest work. As a hospital, Sequoia is able to recruit exceptional young physicians because of the opportunity to work in this environment. The people in this room have given generously and are saving lives tonight."

A pair of cardiac physicians, St. Clair and Patrawala, participated in a first-time panel conversation moderated by event emcee and Emmy Award-winning NBC Channel 11 medical reporter Marianne Favro. The doctors presented a serious subject with humor when they revealed the distinctions between cardiac catheterization, performed by so-called "plumbers " who work with stents and balloons, and "electricians" who implant pacemakers. St. Clair is a plumber. Patrawala is an electrician.

Former Olympic swimmer Lisa Gani, who underwent a procedure in the labs when she was a young girl, shared her insights as a former patient and urged support for the cardiac team.

Applauding the docs were Lorry Lokey and Joanne Harrington, Dora and James Fergason, Cheryl and Dan Cruey, Sequoia Hospital Foundation President JoAnn Kemist, Gloria Kennett and Foundation Board President Frank Hannig Jr.

For the second consecutive year, DPR Construction was the presenting sponsor.

Janet Duca Norton's society column appears every Sunday in the Daily News. Send event information to 324 High St., Palo Alto, CA 94301 or e-mail society@paloaltodailynews.com.