The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest (LVH) presented a check for $345,000 to the health network during its annual luncheon meeting June 22 at Lehigh Country Club.

The gift is the final installment toward the establishment of The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital Endowed Chair in Cancer. The executive board of the auxiliary voted in June 2012 to fund the chair in cancer, pledging the required $2 million.

The auxiliary also raised funds through sales at three gift shops at Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest and other events throughout the year in the amount of and for:

$80,000, Gregory and Lorraine Harper Cancer Risk and Genetic Assessment Program;

$80,000, Lehigh Valley Health Network’s (LVHN) Street Medicine Program, and

$10,000, final installment of a $20,000 pledge for the Fleming Memory Center at Lehigh Valley Hospital-17th Street.

The latest donations of The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest total $515,000.

“All your hard work helps LVHN fulfill its mission to heal, comfort and care for the people of our community,” said Brian Nester, DO, MBA, FACOEP, president and chief executive officer at LVHN in addressing the luncheon.

Suresh G. Nair, MD, medical director of LVHN cancer services is holder of the Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital Endowed Chair in Cancer.

LVHN has 17 chairs, made possible through the generosity of donors, including the Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest. Endowed chairs promote enhanced patient care through education and clinical research.

The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital - Cedar Crest has funded two other endowed chairs, one in critical care medicine and another in emergency medicine. The hospital gift shops are run by a paid manager and staffed by volunteers. Fundraising events are managed by volunteers.

Penn State LV Day:The Pennsylvania State University alumni and friends are invited for a weekend in downtown Bethlehem as the Downtown Bethlehem Association (DBA) partners with Penn State Lehigh Valley for “Penn State Lehigh Valley Day.”

The weekend gets started with a “Blue & White Night,” 6:30-10:30 p.m. July 29, Grand Ball, Hotel Bethlehem, for a buffet dinner, dancing, cash bar and a visit from the Nittany Lion.

Ticket information: Joy Reed: joy.reed@psu.edu, 610-285-5082

Downtown Bethlehem businesses participating in the third annual “Penn State Lehigh Valley Day” July 30 donate 5 percent of sales 11 a.m.-6 p.m. to benefit pediatric cancer. Some businesses will offer a special item or discount to Penn State Lehigh Valley Day Passport holders.

LCCC golf classic:The Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) Foundation holds its 23rd annual golf classic Aug. 1, Woodstone Country Club, Danielsville, Moore Township. Proceeds benefit the Foundation scholarship program.

The fee for registration, which begins at 10:30 a.m., includes lunch, dinner and awards presentation. Included are green fees, cart, box lunch and a promotional item. Golfers play a modified scramble with a shotgun start at noon and conclude with an evening dinner reception and awards. Only 200 tickets will be sold.

Deadline to register is July 22: jwilchak@lccc.edu, lccc.edu/foundation, 610-799-1929

To submit press releases for consideration in the Good Cause column and request coverage of fundraisers and galas, email Paul Willistein, Focus features editor: pwillistein[AT]tnonline.com