Media contact: Yvonne Taunton
The O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at UAB’s annual ArtBLINK gala was a success in raising both funds and awareness of its 50-year history of advancing cancer research, patient care and education. The O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham held its 37th annual ArtBLINK gala virtually this year, raising more than $758,000. Eighteen local artists participated in creating one-of-a-kind pieces for the online auction, and several sold additional pieces in ArtBLINK’s online art gallery.
The money raised at this gala will go to the O’Neal Fund for Excellence, which promotes broad areas of basic, translational and population science research relevant to cancer.
O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Barry Sleckman, M.D., Ph.D., says these gifts will be used to address the Cancer Center’s mission of engaging communities in cancer prevention, early detection initiatives, and advancing cancer education and research.
“This success would not have been possible without the O’Neal advisory board, sponsors, Director’s Circle members and partners,” Sleckman said. “We are so grateful for our friends’ continued support of our mission, which is to advance our understanding of cancer to improve prevention, detection, treatment and survivorship for all people.”
This event was made possible by the O’Neal Advisory Board, with special thanks to members Lee Edwards, Charlie Perry, Laura McDonald, Leigh Davis, Jay Ezelle, Penny Page and Roger Smith. Special thanks also to host Jeh Jeh Pruitt of WBRC, who is also an advisory board member.
Due to continued COVID-19 restrictions, the gala was held virtually this year on YouTube. The virtual presentation included a video that not only introduced participating artists, but also addressed the Cancer Center’s past, present and future, while providing a spotlight on Director’s Circle nominees Janie and David Brown, as well as survivors Debbie and Clarence Pouncy. The video has garnered more than 700 views and will continue to be available on the Cancer Center’s YouTube page.
Despite the success of the virtual format for the second year due to the pandemic, the team is optimistic that they will return to in-person events soon.
“Before the pandemic, we would typically have 800 or more people attend ArtBLINK at the Kirklin Clinic, and it was always an outstanding event. While we all yearn for the day when we can gather and be together again as we’ve done for so many years, virtual ArtBLINK offered us a festive way to celebrate and learn more about the O’Neal Cancer Center while raising money for cancer research,” said Trisha Dodson, Advisory Board past president. “From the gourmet meal drive-through and the opportunity to host smaller watch parties with family and friends to celebrating our local artists, it was a fun night for many in our community. We are so pleased with our impact this year, and now we’re looking forward to next year’s ArtBLINK, which we hope will allow us a return to the live event.”
The event was presented by Autotec, Edwards Chevrolet, Protective Life Corporation, Regions Bank, Southern Sky Aviation, Vulcan Value Partners, Thomas E. Jernigan Foundation, UAB and UAB Medicine.
Watch the video of the virtual event here.