Every other year the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Gingham Gala brings the Lancaster community together to support cancer patients at the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute (ABBCI) who are facing financial difficulties due to their diagnosis.
This November, in order to protect the health and safety of all 135 event attendees, the 2021 Gingham Gala was transformed into a “drive-in” event where guests remained in their cars and listened to the program and evening’s entertainment through their radios.
“This year’s Gingham Gala was one of the most mission-forward events that we have ever done,” said Jennifer Groff, Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health vice president of Organizational Advancement. “We wanted a platform to express our gratitude to our donors and sponsors and also to highlight what makes ABBCI truly unique.”
This fundraising event, organized by the Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Foundation, raised nearly $100,000 for the Cancer Patient Support Fund, which goes directly to patients to ease the strain a cancer diagnosis puts on all areas of life.
Hosted at an outdoor theater on the grounds of Penn Cinema in Lititz, PA, the evening was a journey of the senses. Event attendees drove through an exhibit of decorative white lights representing the number of patients treated at the Cancer Institute; watched a short movie by MAKE Films, which featured ABBCI staff reading patient thank-you letters; and listened to performances by local acoustic guitarist Alex Brubaker and Lancaster’s McCaskey High School Voices of Freedom choir. Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health CEO John H. Herman and ABBCI Medical Director Randall A. Oyer, MD, joined Groff as speakers at the event.
Guests were welcomed by ABBCI staff members and offered hot apple cider, a trivia contest card and a gourmet snack basket before driving through the light show and parking to enjoy the evening
program.
To learn more about the Gingham Gala and the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute, go to lghealth.org/foundation.