Lori Stevens, R.N., nursing director at Verde Valley Medical Center, was the lucky winner of the Flagstaff Medical Center Foundation 2010 Turquoise Ball car raffle to benefit children’s programs at Flagstaff Medical Center. The December Turquoise Ball marked the 50th anniversary of the fundraising ball with dinner and dancing for more than 400 attendees. Funds raised at the event exceeded $100,000, including more than $30,000 from raffle ticket sales.

Stevens’ winning ticket allowed her the choice of a 2010 Volkswagen Beetle, 2010 Toyota Corolla or $10,000 cash, donated by Flagstaff Medical Center (FMC) and Findlay Toyota, Flagstaff. Stevens selected the cash option and received a check for $10,000 on Jan. 19. The check was presented by representatives from Flagstaff Medical Center and Findlay Toyota.

Stevens is the nursing director of the Intensive Care and Telemetry Units at Verde Valley Medical Center (VVMC). The Foundation was selling raffle tickets in the Cafeteria during the lunch hour. Stevens stopped to see what was being promoted and bought a ticket because “it was important to her to help support the children.” When Stevens found out she had won, she said, “she was completely shocked and immediately shared the news with her children and her best friend, who was visiting from out-of-town.”
 
Raffle tickets were sold to Flagstaff Medical Center and Verde Valley Medical Center colleagues as well as those in attendance at the ball. The tickets were $25 each and only 2,500 were available. Funds raised from the event and raffle will benefit children’s programs at FMC including:

• Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, which is the only pediatric intensive care unit in Northern Arizona. Using child-specific and age-appropriate equipment and technology, the team provides expert treatment while offering physical, emotional and social support to patients and their families.
• Children’s Health Center, which provides outpatient interdisciplinary healthcare through specialty programs including: Children’s Rehabilitation Services, Children’s Specialty Clinics, Audiology Services and the Safe Child Center. 
• Fit Kids of Arizona, which is a regional community health initiative developed by Flagstaff Medical Center, Verde Valley Medical Center and Northern Arizona Healthcare to address childhood obesity. The program helps children and their families learn healthy lifestyle choices while reducing the problems and illnesses associated with excess weight.

Flagstaff Medical Center’s first Turquoise Ball began 50 years ago in 1961 with the goal of becoming “the outstanding social event of the Northern Arizona winter social season.” After 50 years, the event has evolved from a small dance held at the Flagstaff National Guard Armory to a spectacular gala.

To learn more about upcoming events or the programs and services offered at Flagstaff Medical Center, visit FlagstaffMedicalCenter.com. For more information on how to give to FMC and about Flagstaff Medical Center Foundation, visit FMCFoundation.com or call 928 773-2135.