Duke Cancer Center Raleigh is tapping into team members’ artistic side to raise money and awareness in the fight against lung cancer. The team is hosting a Virtual Art Gala Fundraiser on Friday, September 3, featuring several works of art from members of the Duke Raleigh Hospital team. The proceeds will benefit Team Duke PNEUMO-Uno in the Lung Cancer Initative of North Carolina’s 15th annual Triangle LUNGe Forward 2 Mile Walk & Celebration.
Bethany Norris, RN, an infusion nurse at Duke Cancer Center Raleigh will be walking in the LUNGe Forward event September 18, dressed in a tutu as ‘In-Haley.’ Norris donated a hand painted piece that’s among those up for auction on September 3.
“This particular piece means a lot to me because I have been having a hard time coping with anxiety recently with everything going on the world,” Norris shared. “I love water features and creating this piece helped me remember, if only for a few hours, how beautiful the world can be.”
Neeraj Agrawal, MD, director of Medical Oncology for Duke Cancer Institute in Wake County, has seven paintings featured in the fundraiser. Dr. Agrawal, whose paintings adorn his office and several hallways throughout Duke Cancer Center Raleigh, says the sunrises, sunsets and seasons inspire his art. He likes painting nature and landscapes as a way to relax.
“We were trying to think of a unique way to fundraise amid COVID-19 and I’ve been seeing Dr. Agrawal’s art around the clinic,” said Stephanie Roberson, Patient Service Associate at Duke Cancer Center Raleigh, who came up with the idea for the art auction. “He was kind enough to donate a few pieces and the rest fell into place.”
In addition to the painting by Norris and the nature scenes created by Dr. Agrawal, those who participate in the Virtual Art Gala Fundraiser can bid on tickets to the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibit in Charlotte, a hand poured painting and two crocheted pieces from Jessica Beck, a nurse navigator at Duke Cancer Center Raleigh a hand welded lamp from internationally known artist and sculptor, Sam Spiczka, and a handmade clay mug made by artist Summer Balcom.
Duke team members can register for the Virtual Art Gala here, non-Duke team members can participate by registering here. Learn more about and support Team Duke PNEUMO-Uno, led by Jennifer Garst, MD, Medical Oncologist and lung cancer specialist at Duke Cancer Center Raleigh who is the founder and current board chair of the Lung Cancer Initiative of North Carolina that sponsors the walk.
Duke Raleigh Hospital is the presenting sponsor for the Triangle LUNGe Forward 2 Mile Walk and Celebration.
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