Win an auction, help cancer patients—at least that's the idea behind the Cancer Institute Foundation’s annual Sweetheart Auction. Attendees have the opportunity to vie for countless prizes, the proceeds from which help comfort and support the cancer patients of Santa Fe.

No small fundraiser, the Sweetheart Auction raises 40 percent of Cancer Institute Foundation's annual budget.

Not to be confused with a hospital, CIF focuses on providing crucial non-medical care to cancer patients, including assisting with the finances and labor of housing, transportation, and counseling across Santa Fe. Additionally, $50,000 from this year’s Sweetheart Auction (CIF hopes to raise more) will also be used to launch CIF's supplementary “Meals that Heal” campaign, which will offer grocery gift cards and nutrition education.

According to CIF Development Director Eileen Berry, “'Meals that Heal' stems from a program we begun that was initially restricted to breast cancer, but was so well-received we’re extending it to all cancer patients. There’s so much information out there that we’d like to cull the advice that would be most worthwhile to northern New Mexicans.”

This year’s auction items include dinner with Robert Redford or former CIA operative Valerie Plame, paid trips to Africa, Manhattan (culinary tour and Broadway tickets included), or a vacation home in the Virgin Islands, two tickets to any sporting championship in the nation, a rare 2007 Harley Davidson Road King motorcycle, tons of local art, and more. Also on sale will be raffle tickets, with a new Prius and Southwest Airlines seats to be won.

The Sweetheart Auction includes wine and a dinner buffet. One would be wise not to miss it—the chance to party and treat yourself while simultaneously doing right by humanity comes along but once a year.

Sweetheart Auction

5 pm
Saturday, Feb. 5

$45

Santa Fe Community Convention Center
201 W Marcy St.
955-7931