(The following is a news release for Saints Healthcare Foundation.)

The Saints Healthcare Foundation, a merger of the St. Francis Foundation and St. Gertrude’s Foundation to advance the future of healthcare for people in our community, will be holding its “Spirit of the Saints” Gala to benefit the Foundation’s Integrative Health Care Fund. The 26^th Annual Gala event will be held on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska.

“We had an amazing gala last year, raising more than $175,000 to benefit the lives of those receiving cancer care at St. Francis Regional Medical Center. We are grateful for the tremendous support from generous guests, sponsors and donors and hope to continue that trend this year,” says Cindy Anderson, Chair of the Saints Healthcare Foundation Gala. “With the needs of our patients evolving, this year’s fundraising focus will be in support of The Integrative Health Care Fund, which combines conventional care with proven alternative therapies. All proceeds from this year’s event will support this fund.”

The Gala will begin with a reception of hors d’oeuvres and silent auction bidding. The emcee of the evening will be Ken Barlow, Meteorologist at KSTP 5 Eyewitness News. Elegant dining, live auction bidding and dancing to the sounds of The Sevilles will complete the evening’s celebration.

The West Metro Medical Foundation of the Twin Cities Medical Society will present the prestigious Charles Bolles Bolles-Rogers Award to honor Dr. Anthony A. Spagnolo, Family Medicine, St. Francis Regional Medical Center, for his professional contribution to medicine on the basis of achievement and leadership. The Touchstone Physician Award, which recognizes a physician who has made a tremendous impact at St. Francis through both leadership and clinical excellence, will also be presented.

All proceeds raised from the gala help to provide integrative health care services at St. Francis Regional Medical Center and St. Gertrude’s Health & Rehabilitation Center. Integrative health therapies is a patient centered approach to health care focusing on prevention and wellness to help reduce pain, anxiety, stress, nausea and attends to the physical, psycho-social, emotional and spiritual needs of each person.

The Foundation is currently accepting silent auction items in support of this cause. Corporate and table sponsorships are also available. Individual gala tickets cost $150 per person. For information on event sponsorship, donating items, or to register by the November 2nd deadline, contact Joan Fawcett at 952-428-2072 or joan.fawcett@allina.com, or register online at www.saintshealthcarefoundation.org.

About The Saints Healthcare Foundation: The Saints Healthcare Foundation is a merger of the St. Francis Regional Medical Center and St. Gertrude’s Health and Rehabilitation Center Foundations in order to enhance fundraising innovation, efficiency and impact to further advance the future of health care—from birth through end-of-life—for the people in our community. Our Core Values are Respect, Hospitality, Joy, Partnership, Justice and Stewardship. More information is available at www.saintshealthcarefoundation.org.

About St. Francis Regional Medical Center: St. Francis Regional Medical Center, a non-profit hospital, is jointly owned and sponsored by Essentia Health, Allina Health, and Park Nicollet Health Services. This unique structure combines the caring and compassion of a community hospital with the modern medical technology, specialties, and services found in the metro area. St. Francis provides a full range of inpatient, outpatient and emergency care services on a collaborative medical campus with more than 30 other clinics and providers. St. Francis is located right off of 169 and Marschall Road in Shakopee. For more information visit www.stfrancis-shakopee.com or call 'Ask St. Francis' at 952-428-2000.

About St. Gertrude's Health and Rehabilitation Center: St. Gertrude's Health and Rehabilitation Center is a 105-bed facility offering programs in short term rehabilitation, long term care, end of life and 40 assisted living apartments. The building expansion of transitional care and therapy has ensured that patients are able to remain close to home to receive the services they need.  More information is available at www.stgertrudesshakopee.org.