The SoutheastHEALTH Foundation will host its Third Annual Journey Gala on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at the Drury Plaza Conference Center in Cape Girardeau. Guests will be treated to an elegantly festive “Carnival Rio de Janeiro,” along with a gourmet dinner, charity auctions, a celebrity guest speaker and dancing to live music by Vote 4 Pedro. The cocktail attire, black tie optional event begins at 6 p.m.

The gala benefits the SoutheastHEALTH Cancer Care Fund, which makes the cancer journey less stressful for those in need of urgent assistance during the course of their treatment. “Funds raised from the annual gala provide essential programs to local cancer patients,” Ranzini said.  “Last year funds helped provide free mammograms, nutritional supplements, medications, transportation service and so much more that would not be available without this support. We are grateful to everyone who participates.” She noted last year’s gala raised more than $200,000 to provide compassionate support to patients and families.

Jennifer Icaza-Gast and Anita Drury are once again serving as co-chairs for the gala. “Cancer has touched most of us, in one way or another, whether it’s a family member, a co-worker or friend,” Icaza-Gast said. “We recognize and understand the fear and stress that a cancer diagnosis brings and we are committed to doing whatever we can to help patients and families at a time of great need.”

Guest speaker will be Scott Hamilton, Olympic gold medalist, network TV skating commentator, best- selling author, philanthropist, cancer and brain tumor survivor. Hamilton, the most recognized male figure skating star in the world, has won 70 titles, awards and honors including induction into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame and a privileged member of the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

After losing his mother to cancer, then becoming a survivor himself, Hamilton turned activist, launching the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation (Cancer Alliance for Research, Education and Survivorship). Hamilton, his wife Tracie and four children reside outside Nashville, TN.

Gala tickets are $175 each and may be purchased by calling the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation at 573-519-4920 or online at SEhealth.org/Gala. Corporate sponsorships are also available. Event sponsors will also have the opportunity to attend a VIP meet and greet with Scott Hamilton. For more information about becoming an event sponsor, call the SoutheastHEALTH Foundation.

At SoutheastHEALTH, the region's premier healthcare system in southeast Missouri, our patients receive excellent care of the highest clinical quality, close to home. Within our network are more than 50 care locations in 13 communities, including hospitals, primary and specialty care clinics representing over 30 clinical s