Dine and dance for cancer treatment
FORT DRUM — Money raised this year at Samaritan Medical Center's eighth annual fundraising event, "One Night, One Diamond," will go toward three instruments used to diagnose and treat cancer.
The event, organized by the Samaritan Auxiliary, will be held from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m. March 27 at The Commons.
"We have $36,000 worth of equipment, and we're hoping the event can cover that amount," said Irene C. Carman, co-chairwoman of the fundraising effort and an auxiliary member. The funds will be used to purchase a cystoscope, operative laparascope and ureteroscope.
Dr. Seetharaman Ashok, a urologist at Samaritan Urology, 19324 Route 11, said the cystoscope is an instrument used to look into the bladder.
The equipment allows physicians to see the number, size, location and kind of tumor there.
The ureteroscope is used in the diagnosis and treatment of kidney cancer. Dr. Ashok said the operative laparascope sees the insides of the stomach area and chest, and is used for surgery.
All of the equipment is important because technology is always changing, and physicians need to keep up with the times, he said.
"One Night, One Diamond" proceeds have focused on cancer-related equipment for the hospital for that reason, said Krista A. Kittle, a Samaritan spokeswoman.
"With new physicians on board, the advanced training they've had calls for this equipment," she said.
People who attend the event will also have an opportunity to win a two-night getaway package to Lake Placid's Mirror Lake Inn, and a half-carat, loose diamond from Waterbury Fine Jewelers, valued at $2,000.
Event tickets are $140 per couple, and include dinner and dancing to the music of the band Alibi. About 260 people attended last year.
Mrs. Carman, wife of Samaritan Medical Center Chief Executive Officer Thomas H. Carman, said this year's event's top sponsors are Hancock & Estabrook, LLP, HBE Corp., Mass Mutual Financial Group, Pepsi of Watertown, Renzi Foodservice and the Watertown Daily Times.
People interested in attending should send checks payable to Samaritan Auxiliary by Friday to Mrs. Carman at 322 Flower Ave. W., Watertown, N.Y. 13601.
For more information on participating, or to become a sponsor, call Jane Schmitt at 785-4479.
