The Sage Foundation for Health 'An Evening with the Stars' 2009 Red Ball

By Myra Richman

There was never a dull moment at the 2009 Red Ball "An Evening with the Stars" which was held November 7, 2009 at the Ritz-Carlton Phoenix Hotel to support The Sage Foundation for Health, a non-profit organization devoted to providing quality natural health care to the medically underserved adults and children in the Phoenix metro area.

Currently, the Sage Foundation supports eight (8) extended sites where the disadvantaged receive care from Naturopathic doctors (NDs) and Naturopathic medical students from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine (SCNM).

The red carpet was rolled out for more than 250 guests, accompanied by Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe, who sang and entertained throughout the evening, providing lots of laughs, nostalgia and photo ops.   Guests also enjoyed cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and a silent auction.  A surf and turf dinner was served before the Healthcare Stars Awards presentation.

Well-deserved awards were given to the following outstanding recipients: Debbie Gaby, president, Sleep America (Business); Suzanne Zentner, PhD, physician, Isaac School District (Individual); About Care, Serving homebound elderly and disabled (Nonprofit); and Sr. Adele O'Sullivan, CSJ, MD, founder, Circle the City (Outstanding Achievement).

Following the awards presentation was a unique student-run 'Chinese Auction,' followed by a live auction.  Jazz artist Renee Patrick performed in the main ballroom while guests danced the night away in a sea of mostly red frocks (on the women, that is.)  An After Hours Casino was held on the second floor for those who enjoyed a round or two or three of Blackjack, Roulette and Craps.

For more information visit www.sagefoundationforhealth.org/redball or call 480.222.9229.

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The mission of the Sage Foundation for Health is to provide quality, natural, compassionate healthcare along with conventional medicine to uninsured and underserved children and adults of Arizona. Established in 2002, through the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine and Health Sciences (SCNM), the Foundation currently provides no-cost medical treatment and medications to over 20,000 Arizonans each year through eight community collaboration clinics. The Foundation funds these operations through an ongoing appeal to the community at large, as well as at the annual “Red Ball” which generates revenues to support ongoing operations. New fund development initiatives are being considered to increase funding to meet the ever growing need as a result of the economic downturn.