Doylestown Health Foundation’s 17th annual Circle of Life: Giving Full Circle Auction & Gala was held on November 9 at the Doylestown Country Club. More than 60 sponsors supported the event. We are especially grateful to this year’s Luminary Sponsor, Angela and Dick Clark, and Angel Sponsors: Bob & Joyce Byers, Jeanne and John Hubbard, Lockton Companies, and SEI.

Over $190,000 was raised for Doylestown Health’s Cancer Institute and Doylestown Hospital Hospice. “We are so grateful for the generosity of the sponsors, donors, and friends who support Circle of Life,” said Jim Brexler, president and CEO of Doylestown Health. “Every gift matters to our cancer and hospice patients and their families, and our 17th year has been our most successful to date.”

Highlighting the evening were the personal testimonials of two breast cancer survivors, Jaclyn Smith and Fernanda Fresco. They shared their experience with the Doylestown Health Cancer Institute and the positive impact the Bridge Fund had on them and their loved ones. Doylestown Health’s Cancer Institute Bridge Fund assists with the financial burden many families experience during cancer treatment. The Bridge Fund allows patients and their caregivers to focus their energy on what really matters – healing and quality of life. Thanks to the overwhelming generosity of donors at the event, the Special Mission Appeal generated over $27,000 for the Bridge Fund.

Also part of the reception festivities, the winners of the Doylestown Health Foundation Raffle were announced! This year the raffle sold nearly 600 tickets for a chance to win the grand prize of a new 2019 BMW 320i or $20,000 cash. Kenneth Swanstrom was the grand prize winner. He chose the $20,000 and donated it back to the hospital to support One Vision: The Campaign for Doylestown Health. Additional prizes were also awarded, with Eleanor Wilson winning the second prize of a $1,000 American Heritage Credit Union Checking Account and Catherine Petri winning the third prize of Beats Pro Over-Ear Headphones. This year’s raffle was sponsored by Thompson BMW, American Heritage Credit Union, and G2 Computers.

Doylestown Health Foundation is grateful to all those involved in this year’s event, especially the Circle of Life Committee and Co-Chairs Kathy Hazen and Sue Stellar. The all-volunteer committee dedicated hours of time and assistance in planning and executing the event. We would also like to thank auctioneer Mike Ivankovich, emcee Sheri Putnam, and the Central Bucks Key Club for their role in making the event a success.