The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley raised $321,000 at its 2024 Hearts of Gold Gala, held March 23.

Nearly 350 guests enjoyed cocktails, dinner, dancing and a live auction of children’s artwork conducted by auctioneer Jason Douglas Houser. The nonprofit’s sold-out fundraiser was again hosted at the Centennial Catering and Conference Center in Center Valley.

The event brought in $72,000 more than last year’s gala.

Realtor and Truffle Bar owner Ryan Dietrick, along with educator and PCFLV gala Chairwoman Cecilia Grabias, presided as emcees.

“This year is an important year in the history of PCFLV,” Executive Director Michelle Zenie Rounds said. “It marks our 20th birthday.”

She expressed gratitude to those who turned out to support the mission to help children battling pediatric cancer and their families.

Zenie Rounds mourned the loss of the five young patients who lost their battles against cancer. Among them were Presley, Laura, Hailey, Sophia and Ian.

The Heart of a Warrior Award was presented to Allentown residents and Weichert Realtors Pat and Stephen Spitzer for their continued support of PCFLV through their cornhole tournament and various sponsorships.

Olivia Radcliffe and her nurse and mentor, Emily Hartman, shared the mic as keynote speakers.

Now 22 and living in Berks County, Radcliffe described her journey surviving pediatric cancer with the help of Hartman and others on her medical treatment team. Inspired by the care she received, Radcliffe graduated from Temple University in 2022 and works as a full-time nurse at the Children’s Cancer Center at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital.

Hartman, a registered nurse, is a patient care manager at the hospital’s Children’s Cancer Center.

She spoke of how she was inspired by Radcliffe’s courage in battling cancer and her compassion in helping other children deal with similar circumstances.

“The Infiniti Circle,” a mosaic created by Radcliffe and Hartman, fetched $20,000.

The winning bid was awarded to Dennis Hower, Teamsters Local 773 president, based in Whitehall.

Easton-based singer-songwriter Lilly Moss Hercik sang “Some Angels Weren’t Meant To Fly.” The 18-year-old survivor of acute lymphoblastic leukemia wrote the song she performed halfway through the auction. The mosaic she created of the same title sold for $20,000.

Also, up for bid or purchase were gift baskets donated by area businesses and individuals, bottles of wine in a wine pull, as well as glass centerpieces created by ArtsQuest Glass Studio.

“We are so thrilled as Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital to be the presenting sponsor of tonight‘s gala,” Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital President Anne Baum said. “Our Children’s Cancer Center cares for many of the kids and families that benefit from the services that PCFLV provides to the community.”

Among the long list of additional sponsors are Rob and Kristen Bennett, Structural Metal Fabricators, Teamsters Local 773, FGX Creative, Ai Orthodontics, FTTS (Forward Thinking Technology Solutions), AmericaVen and ASR Media.

The PCFLV provides free programming and services to local children with cancer and their families.

The foundation is located at 4501 Crackersport Road, Allentown.

For information, call 484-221-9294 or go to pcflv.org.