It was a “roarin’ good” time for the 650 guests who attended St. Luke’s University Health Network’s 111th Charity Ball May 2 at Wind Creek Bethlehem, raising $470,000 to benefit St. Luke’s mission to “care for the sick and injured, regardless of ability to pay, improve our communities’ overall health, and educate our health care professionals.”

The Charity Ball is St. Luke’s largest fundraising event of the year, and it is steeped in history and tradition. Since the early 1900s, St. Luke’s Charity Ball has stood for more than just an evening out with friends and colleagues. Each year, support from community members, businesses and the medical and academic communities provide the resources to help advance excellence in health care.

Over the last 20 years alone, nearly $6 million has been raised for various emerging needs in medicine and the community. “This year is no exception, thanks to the support of our sponsors,” said Pat Bower, St. Luke’s Vice President of Development and External Affairs. “Their generosity powers innovation in so many ways, from improvements in cancer care and hospice, to pediatrics and neuroscience.”

As the Lehigh Valley’s first community hospital, St. Luke’s continues its mission in promoting health for the most vulnerable across the region. For nearly 30 years, its Department of Community Health has been working to address community needs by developing sustainable initiatives and creating the infrastructure to help communities grow and thrive.

In addition, St. Luke’s mission is to educate doctors, nurses and allied health professionals, and provide workforce development opportunities locally through its School of Nursing and Temple-St. Luke’s School of Medicine to ensure that the community continues to have access to quality health care as the region grows.

Next year’s Charity Ball is May 1.

Information: St. Luke’s University Health Network Development Office: DevelopmentOffice@sluhn.org; 484-526-9054