Keeping cancer on the run: Polo Under the Palms rides again March 23
MD Anderson News Release February 26, 2013
World-class polo, free cancer education seminar return to Sarasota
MD Anderson News Release 02/26/13
HOUSTON, TX —Polo Under the Palms rides into Sarasota, Fla. March 23. Proceeds from the third annual polo competition, silent auction and post-game soiree benefit cancer research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.
“As we’ve grown, so has the excitement,” says Jamie Uihlein of Sarasota, Fla., co-founder of the fundraiser. “We’re anticipating our most successful event ever.”
Uihlein is co-chairing the fundraising effort again this year along with his wife, Mary Uihlein, son James Uihlein and daughter-in-law Christie Uihlein.
Starting at 4 p.m., world-class polo players take to the field at the Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch for a championship match. A silent auction follows the match leading to a tropics-inspired evening soiree including live auction bidding, dinner by Polo Grill & Bar/Fete Catering and Innovative Dining and dancing to live music by Impulse with DJ Anthony.
That morning, in conjunction with Polo Under the Palms, MD Anderson will offer a free Making Cancer History® educational seminar at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota starting at 9 a.m. MD Anderson physicians and researchers will present the latest in cancer treatment and answer questions from the audience. The seminar will include a free breakfast buffet beginning at 8:30 a.m.
Featured speakers include Randal S. Weber, M.D., professor and chair of the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, and Jeffrey E. Gershenwald, M.D., professor in the Department of Surgical Oncology.
Diagnosed in 2004 with stage II tongue cancer, Uihlein sought a second opinion at the urging of several Floridian friends and, ultimately, treatment at MD Anderson. Today he is cancer-free and serves on the institution’s advisory board, the MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors.
“MD Anderson is proud to partner with the Uihlein family,” says Ronald A. DePinho, M.D., president of MD Anderson. “Support from events such as Polo Under the Palms allowed us to care for more than 1,200 patients from Florida last year and continues to support our growing patient outreach efforts throughout the state.”
MD Anderson Cancer Center-Orlando, established in 1991, was MD Anderson’s first fully affiliated partner outside of Texas. Patients in Pensacola’s Sacred Heart Health System have access to more than 100 MD Anderson cancer treatment plans allowing patients to stay near home while receiving the most advanced cancer treatments. And as members of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, MD Anderson and the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute in Tampa are dedicated partners in improving the quality and effectiveness of cancer care nationwide.
General admission tickets to the polo match are available at the gate for a $5 minimum donation per person. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets for the polo match and soiree begin at $175 and are available until March 15. To purchase tickets, please email events@mdanderson.org or call 866-262-9029 and press 9 to leave a message. Guests may not purchase soiree tickets at the event.
Event schedule:
• 8:30 a.m. Doors open for Making Cancer History® seminar at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota
• 9-11 a.m. Making Cancer History® seminar
• 3 p.m. Gates open at Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch
• 4 p.m. Championship match
• 6 p.m. Silent auction and post-game soiree begin
• 7:30 p.m. Dinner and dancing
02-26-13