On Saturday, January 25th, the physicians of Cancer Specialists of North Florida (CSNF) hosted their second annual Bourbon and Bowties Gala, benefiting the Patient Assistance Foundation. Over 250 guests spent an evening at The Jacksonville Garden Club celebrating over 20 years of providing short-term financial assistance to patients undergoing treatment for cancer.
“We were thrilled to host this event for a second year in a row,” says Dr. Marc Warmuth, CSNF board president. “Our Foundation is an integral part of our practice, and it’s always a pleasure to share its mission and successes with our colleagues.”
In 2024, The Foundation raised over $480,000 between its two main fundraising events, Cocktails for a Cause and the Jim Swanagin Memorial Golf Tournament. Additionally, The Foundation assisted over 250 patients with upwards of $395,000 worth of day-to-day living expenses.
“Each year, we are breaking records,” explains Dr. Unni Thomas, foundation board member. “And that’s because people are more in need now than ever before. We’ve been so lucky have such a substantial uptick in fundraising over the last few years, allowing us to help as many people as possible.”
The Bourbon and Bowties Gala has slowly grown into The Foundation’s 3rd major fundraiser of the year, targeting a new demographic of supporters who are a vital part of the patients care team and process.
“Getting to learn more about CSNF’s Patient Assistance Foundation through the Bourbon and Bowties Gala has been an eye-opening experience,” says Dr. Mona Shah, a cardiologist in Jacksonville. “It’s easy to forget the impact a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment have on a patient when you don’t see it every day. The opportunity to help the Foundation fundraise through this event, and knowing exactly where the money goes, is special and something I’ve come to look forward to!”
The Bourbon and Bowties Gala raised an impressive $28,675 for the Patient Assistance Foundation.
“At the end of the day, it’s all about the patients,” says Dr. Steven Siegel, who’s Foundation video can be found here. “That’s why we’re all here.”
