Sarat Family to Chair 49th Noble Ball; Fundraiser Slated for Nov. 9

SPRINGFIELD — Noble Hospital is preparing for the 49th Noble Ball, co-chaired by the Sarat Family. The Mardi Gras-themed event is slated for Saturday, Nov. 9 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield.

Proceeds from this year’s ball will benefit the Oncology Unit. Last year, this signature event raised $200,000 to update patient rooms, the nurses’ station, and waiting areas on the second floor of the hospital. More than 600 attendees enjoyed the 2012 ball, and this year more than 700 are expected to attend. The ball offers live entertainment from the band Beantown, fine dining, and silent and live auctions.

Noble Hospital and the Sarats will welcome special guest Joe Andruzzi from the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the former New England Patriot and have a photo taken with his three Super Bowl championship rings. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.joeandruzzifoundation.org.

 “This is our major fund-raiser, and participation — whether as a volunteer, financial supporter, or attendee — is greatly appreciated by all of us at Noble Hospital,” said Allison Gearing-Kalill, vice president of Community Development. “We are very excited to work with the Sarat family and welcome special guest Joe Andruzzi.”

The Noble Ball proceeds will support Noble’s Oncology unit, so it’s fitting that the co-chairs are no strangers to fighting cancer. The Sarat family lost their mother, Karen, to cancer in 2003.

Jack Sarat, president of of Sarat Ford Lincoln in Agawam, joins friend Nancy Neilson and sons and daughters-in-law Jeff and Kim Sarat, Chris and Salina Sarat, and Scott and Hannah Sarat in chairing the Ball.

 “I’ve lived here for 35 years,” Jack said. “For all that time, my family and I have relied on Noble Hospital for our medical needs. Chairing the ball is an honor and a good way to give back to the community.”

If you would like to support the Noble Ball, you may purchase tickets to attend, donate as an advertiser or sponsor, donate an auction item, or bid on silent and live auction items. For more information on the ball, visit www.noblehospital.org/ball. To purchase tickets, visit give.noblehospital.org/ball2013. Auction items will be available online approximately a week before the ball. To view and bid on items, visit www.qtego.net/auc/nhosp.