More than 320 guests attended an evening of dining and dancing at the Friends of Saint Anne's Hospital "Carnevale Venezia" annual Candlelight Ball at White's of Westport, one of the group's most successful fundraising events in its 49-year history.

Proceeds netting $80,547 from the Candlelight Ball bring the Friends of Saint Anne's Hospital closer to completing a $500,000 pledge to support the Hudner Oncology Center and cancer-related diagnostics and treatment.  This pledge is the third such commitment made by the group since 1999.

Grand Raffle winners at the event included: Bermuda cruise, Barbara Jarabek; golf package, Ann-Marie Quinn; sports package, Melissa Mancone; dining package, Nicole Davidson; and floral package, Jody Oliveira.

Sister Vimala Vadakumpadan, OP, chairperson of Saint Anne's Hospital board of trustees, won a two-carat diamond ring, donated by Hannoush Jewelers of North Dartmouth and valued at more than $5,000.  To celebrate the spirit of giving, Sister Vimala donated the beautiful ring back to the event and the lucky winner the second time around was Cheryl Sullivan. 

Decor planners Dale Ferris, of Fall River, and Ed Marques, of Tiverton, dazzled the ballroom with a theme reminiscent of Venice, Italy's, renowned "Carnevale," an annual carnival tradition featuring masked revelers amid a lavish celebration of history.

Of the Friends' support of the Hudner Oncology Center, Carol Verrochi, of Berkeley, MA, event chair and Friends of Saint Anne's Hospital president, notes, "Each year, Saint Anne's Hospital and Hudner Oncology provide the region's most comprehensive care to more than 2,000 cancer patients."  Verrochi continues, "Hudner has a history of being the first in the region to provide a variety of advanced, proven cancer treatment technologies. With the support of our community, the Friends are proud to enable the hospital to continue its longtime commitment to offering our community the most advanced cancer care available, whenever it is needed."

Saint Anne's Hospital President Robert E. Guyon, Jr., noted that the event's success was due in large part to the outstanding work of Verrochi and the planning committee, as well as the generosity of local businesses and organizations that participated as sponsors.

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"The Friends show enormous enthusiasm and spirit for the community through the Candlelight Ball every year," said Guyon.  "Their efforts prove their strong commitment to advancing Saint Anne's Hospital's mission, and we are enormously grateful for their continued loyalty and support."

The Candlelight Ball's event sponsors included:

• Platinum Sponsors: Bank of America, and The Robert F. Stoico/FIRSTFED Charitable Foundation.

• Gold Sponsors: Carmela A. Sofia, MD, FACS, and Millview Medical Associates/Jorge M. Andrade, MD & Christopher S. Joncas, MD.

• Bronze Sponsors: Borden & Remington, Dominion, Ronald and Dale Ferris, HUB International Feitelberg, Jarabek Family Foundation, Jim and Janis Karam, Prima CARE, P.C., and Southpointe Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center.

• Copper Sponsors: Agape Medical Spa & Weight Loss Center, Citizens~Union Savings Bank, Lafrance Hospitality, Pride Awards, and Waring-Sullivan Homes of Memorial Tribute.

As a volunteer community service organization, the Friends of Saint Anne's Hospital enhances the image of the Hospital within the community and offers financial support through fundraisers such as the Candlelight Ball.  The Friends' efforts play a major role in supporting the hospital in assisting patients, increasing levels of service, and addressing the healthcare needs of the community.  In 2002, the Friends completed their first five-year $500,000 pledge, announced in 1999 and completed in less than three years, to benefit the hospital's FIRSTFED Center for Breast Care.  Their second pledge of $500,000 was completed in 2006 to benefit advanced linear accelerator technology Hudner Oncology Center.  This, the group's third pledge of $500,000, will benefit the Hudner Oncology Center and cancer-related diagnostics and treatment.