More than 600 leaders in the medical and business community attended John C. Lincoln Health Foundation's Night of Gold Ball on March 20 and their support set new records for the 41-year-old event. The annual gala raised more than $400,000 to support advanced medicine and technology and community services and programs of John C. Lincoln Health Network. Of the $400,000 raised, $112,000 was donated specifically to the Desert Mission Food Bank.

The ball is a spring tradition hosted by the John C. Lincoln Health Foundation Guild, and this year's event was chaired by Kim Novotny who, with husband Mike, is a longtime supporter of the Network and its Desert Mission programs.

In its 40-year history, the Night of Gold Ball has raised more than $4 million and has benefitted efforts as diverse as building a healing garden for families and patients in the emergency department, and buying child-sized stretchers for pediatric patients at Mendy’s Place. This year's ball will help fund the Virginia G. Piper Center for Pediatric Center for Excellence and the Breast Health and Research Center, both at John C. Lincoln Deer Valley Hospital, and the Level I Trauma Center at John C. Lincoln North Mountain Hospital.

Marcia Mintz, CEO of the John C. Lincoln Health Foundation, noted that this year's Night of Gold Ball was particularly successful because of Tara Walter, health technician at Moon Mountain Elementary in north Phoenix. "Tara spoke from her heart about the importance of Snack Packs and other food security programs of Desert Mission Food Bank. The funds raised at the Night of Gold Ball will support children in 11 area schools to ensure that they do not come to school hungry on Monday mornings. I am grateful for the generosity of our Night of Gold Ball attendees who dug deeply into their pockets in response."

In addition to the pediatrics, breast care, trauma center and Desert Mission programs, proceeds from the Night of Gold Ball will fund other needs throughout the John C. Lincoln Health Network. The grant process is managed through the John C. Lincoln Health Foundation. The Guild's next fund-raising event is the Lincoln Guild Invitational, set for September.

For more information, visit JCL.com/foundation.