Madisen Abramson (in burgundy gown) talks with avid tennis player and supporter Laurie Hamilton at the cocktail party preceding the Gala Auction and Dinner.
The Madisen’s Match fundraising event brought in an all-time high of more than $140,000 when dinner in the Main Deck of the Helm Club on Friday, March 13 concluded. The event was founded in 2009 (and $4,000 was raised) when Duane Chaney formed the charity to help children with cancer. His niece, Madisen Abramson, had been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor when she was just four years old. He sprang into action so that children with debilitating diseases could be treated in Fort Myers at Golisano Children’s Hospital. Madisen now is a lovely 21-year-old woman who once again attended the event.
Chaney said, “The incredible support from The Landings members and the surrounding community has truly been overwhelming. The fact that Madisen’s Match has been able to make a very real impact here in Southwest Florida for cancer patients and their families for the past 16 years is an incredible feeling. I am deeply grateful for the continued support from the members and staff at The Landings who help make Madisen’s Match the special event that it has become today.”
Funds were raised from four sources that included sponsors, special live auctions packages, silent auction items, and individual contributions from attendees at the event. One of the live auction packages, a four-hour, multi-course dinner for 12 in a private room at Capital Grille, sold for $15,000. A trip to beautiful Healdsburg, California in Sonoma County, with $2,000 for airfare, and a $2,500 gift certificate to Brodeur Carvell Fine Menswear, brought $10,000.
A superb local catering company, Black Salt Culinary, offered a three-hour mix and mingle cocktail party for 20 guests. Two of those packages were purchased, at a cost of $8,500 each. Other live auctions included a U.S. Open Tennis package with special seats and hospitality that brought $6,000. Another $6,000 was obtained from a VIP package to The Motor Enclave in Tampa, a special thrill for any enthusiast who enjoy motorsports. The final package, a four-day, three-night trip to Nashville with gift cards and passes to two country music museums, raised $4,000.
After a cocktail hour and dinner featuring foods typically found at the four Grand Slam tennis events each year – the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open – people were asked to contribute to the charity after representatives from Lee Health and Golisano explained how the funds are used. No family is ever turned away from Golisano Children’s Hospital for lack of funds. Follow-up care is provided for all pediatric cancer patients through age 30, and nearly 800 children have been treated at this facility in the last 16 years. There is a Landings Madisen’s Match playroom on the fifth floor of Golisano where children and their families can enjoy time away from the hospital rooms.
When the presentation was completed, attendees were invited to contribute funds to keep this program financially healthy. One generous person gave $10,000. Mark Trumbull gave $7,500 and offered not only to match his own contribution in that amount but also to match any others at that level. As a result, three additional people gave $7,500. Three donated $2,500; an even dozen gave $1,000 each and 10 contributed $500 to the cause. Eleven people gave $250 each, which once again was matched by Trumbull.
Several sponsors helped fund the event. They included Raymond James, Turnbull Autosports, Coolman Agency, J&D Mechanical, The Motor Enclave, Specific Care Chiropractic, Athletic Recovery Systems, Lee Health, and Pegasus Entertainment. Cinnamon Crows kept the audience entertained with their music during dinner, and guests stayed to dance to their infectious songs when the formal events ended.
Plans are already underway for next year’s event. Since its beginning, Madisen’s Match has raised $1.8 million to support Barbara’s Friends, the Golisano Children’s Hospital cancer fund.
