Meridian Health Foundation's first annual BuildingHOPE Benefit will take place on Friday, May 13, 2016 at Eagle Oaks Golf & Country Club in Farmingdale, NJ. The event, formerly known as the Sweetheart Ball for its February timeframe, has been moved to May and will benefit oncology research through Meridian Cancer Care.
The BuildingHOPE Benefit is chaired by Freeholder Serena P. DiMaso, who has a personal connection to oncology research after losing her father to cancer abruptly in 2014. "I decided to get involved with this event to help other families avoid the pain my family experienced when we lost my father shortly after diagnosis," shares Serena. "I have every confidence that Meridian has the best programs in place to achieve optimal patient outcomes and with community support, those programs will only strengthen."
The event will feature a new format with a variety of reception and cocktail style seating throughout the night, reserved tables for top sponsors, hors d'oeuvres and stations in lieu of a plated entrée, a tented cocktail hour, live music by the B-Street Band, cocktail attire, a paddle pledge, and a "fund a need" area where guests can support specific research projects in our hospitals.
The name "BuildingHOPE" shares its moniker with six major oncology expansion projects taking place throughout Meridian Health. With a three year investment of $128 million, the projects will build hope for residents with new facilities, state-of-the-art technology, and expanded medical expertise. "This is an extraordinary time in medicine, particularly in the field of oncology," shares Mark Krasna, M.D. corporate medical director of Meridian Cancer Care. "Significant developments and breakthroughs are giving researchers, physicians, caregivers and patients unpreceded hope and optimism. This event combined with Meridian's commitment to BuildingHOPE ensures we can bring extraordinary cancer care closer to the communities we serve."
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