Ever dream about spending a night in Tuscany?

Olympic Medical Center Foundation is offering Sequim residents a fantasy evening in Italy combined with the opportunity to raise money for the Thomas Family Cancer Center during the annual Harvest of Hope Winemaker’s Gala at the SunLand Golf & Country Club Saturday, Oct. 11.

"We hope to raise sufficient funds to provide an integrative medicine program for patients," said Sara Maloney, OMC associate executive director. "We want to recognize that health is more than just the absence of disease."

An integrative medicine program, Maloney explained, would offer a variety of natural, alternative, complementary and herbal remedies, such as massage therapy, in addition to traditional medicine such as chemotherapy.

"We would like to take care of the whole person – body, mind and spirit," Maloney said. "These are things that will improve the quality of life for a person and give them the best experience possible while they are fighting the disease."

"A Night in Tuscany" will feature two special guests: Peninsula chef Steve Little, who’s known for his cooking at the Old Mill Café and Xanadu, and most recently, as the chef and owner of Dockside Grill; and winemaker Rob Griffin, of Barnard Griffin Winery.

Presented in coordination with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, the event is black tie optional and will feature internationally and locally grown food and wine, and multiple fundraising opportunities.

Live auction items include two tickets to a 2008 World Series game of choice, four tickets to the taping of "American Idol" in Los Angeles, Calif., two 5th Avenue Theater tickets and two tickets to the Seattle Symphony, a wine tour and tasting at Barnard Griffin Winery, a tour and dinner for 12 people at the historical Pysht Tree Farm, a "Day of Beauty" for four women at Sanctuary Day Spa, a queen-size quilt donated by Sunbonnet Sue Quilt Club, and two "instant" wine cellars.

This year’s auction item list is unique due to the hard work of volunteer committee members, Maloney credited. "I could not have done this event without them," she said.

A silent auction also will take place.

Event sponsors include the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Morgan Stanley, Collins Woerman, Angeles Composite Technologies, Green Crow, KONP Newsradio 1450, the Sequim Gazette, and 7 Cedars Casino.

The goal is to raise $100,000, according to Maloney, but because the economy is slow, she understands that may not happen. "I would just like to do as well as we did last year," she said optimistically. Last year’s gala, "A Night in Provence," netted $97,000.

The SunLand Golf & Country Club banquet room can accommodate 200 guests, Maloney said, and tickets are selling fast so people should reserve their seats immediately, she advised.

Raising funds to help cancer patients

Who: Olympic Medical Center Foundation

What: "A Night in Tuscany," sixth annual Harvest of Hope Winemaker’s Gala, raising funds for the Thomas Family Cancer Center at Olympic Medical Center

When: Saturday, Oct. 11. Cocktails start at 6 p.m., dinner follows at 6:45 p.m.

Where: SunLand Golf & Country Club, 1099 Hilltop Drive, Sequim

Tickets: $125 each

Contact: For more information or to purchase tickets, call 417-7144 or go online to www.omhf.org.