Flower-themed event has cancer-care goal

Not for hippies only, Flower Power on May 3 will raise funds to complete the Infusion Treatment Center at the Peter & Paula Fasseas Cancer Clinic at University Medical Center North, 3838 N. Campbell Ave.

The event will be staged in 5,000 square feet of shell space on the clinic's second floor earmarked to provide cancer patients with chemotherapy and other support services.

"I liked the metaphor of flowers for life and renewal and hope and expectations for the future — it seemed like a good symbol for the event," said Tom Sanders, senior development officer for the UMC Foundation and co-chair of the benefit with Don Luria, a founder of Tucson Originals.

From the moment he heard about the benefit, Luria said, he was on board with support from the Tucson Originals, a group of local, independently operated restaurants.

"I have a personal interest in that I am a prostate cancer survivor, and my younger sister passed away from breast cancer, and that was motivation to get something going to support the UMC Cancer Center. Cancer today affects so many friends and family members that it is hard not to be concerned about it," Luria said.

The '60s-inspired event represents a first-class opportunity to "come together" for donors, volunteers and attendees alike, according to Sanders.

It also represents a venue in which to showcase the work of almost 30 area artists supporting the cause through donations of original works of art for the live and silent auctions, according to Nancy Lutz, who is coordinating donations alongside Luria.

Lutz, a former director of the UA Center for Creative Photography and president of the board of directors for the Tucson Pima Arts Council, said the artists' generosity has been amazing, with retail value of the pieces estimated at $70,000.

Many artists were inspired to donate flower-themed pieces, including "Ocotillo Blossoms" by Michael Ives, "Fresh from the Garden" by Barbara Gurwitz and "Glass Flowers" by Tom Philabaum. Other contributing artists include Mary Schaefer, Rick Demont, Maurice Sevigny, Susan Imwalle, David Adix and Jack Dykinga.

"When we ask artists to donate, we are really asking them to donate far more than we ask anyone else since they can't take tax deductions for the value of their work, but only for the value of materials," Lutz said.

"So if you are an artist whose painting sells for $5,000, you may only deduct the cost of the paint and the canvas."

At Flower Power, since artists will get about what they would get if they sold their work in a gallery, they will often give their best work, Lutz said

In recognition of the importance of the cause, several artists have volunteered to donate their percentage of proceeds back to the Peter & Paula Fasseas Cancer Clinic at UMC North, according to Sanders.

The regional center is one of only 39 in the nation designated as a comprehensive cancer center by the National Cancer Institute, Sanders said. It offers clinical research and trials, basic science research, prevention, treatment, outreach and education.

The facility will house three clinical pavilions for adults — one dedicated exclusively to the treatment of cancers unique to females; another to lymphoma, leukemia and gastrointestinal cancers; and a third to solid tumors such as lung, prostate, sarcoma and skin cancers.

"We call it a 'bastion of hope' in the region for cancer sufferers because the cancer center can deliver bench-to-bedside treatment: protocols developed in the center's research laboratories can be delivered to patients directly," Sanders said.

How you can help

Attend Flower Power

When: 6 p.m. May 3.

Where: The Peter & Paula Fasseas Cancer Clinic at UMC North, 3838 N. Campbell Ave.

Cost: $175 per person.

What: Festivities include wines and tastings of flower-theme and signature dishes from Tucson Originals restaurants such as Acacia, Cup Café, Terra Cotta, Jonathan's Tucson Cork and more, accompanied by arrangements by local florists. The evening will be highlighted by live and silent auctions featuring original art created by regional artists. If your calendar is already booked, you can enter the Flower Power drawing for an exclusive after-hours dinner for 10 at Tiffany & Co. featuring a four-course dinner by chef Janos Wilder and fine wines provided by Don Luria and Donna Nordin, along with a men's Tiffany watch. Tickets are $100 each; only 250 will be sold. Winners need not be present to win.

For more information, or to purchase tickets to Flower Power online, visit the Web site at https:// www.umcazfoundation.org/body.cfm?id=27 or call 694-6088.