November 21, 2007 > 21st Annual Top Hat Fundraiser Receives Record Support 21st Annual Top Hat Fundraiser Receives Record Support Event Proceeds Will Benefit Washington Hospital's Diabetes Education Program A record amount of $100,000 was raised to support the Diabetes Education Program at Washington Hospital at this year's Top Hat dinner dance, the 21st annual fundraiser for the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation. "Nearly 100,000 people in the Tri-City area have diabetes and a third of them don't even know it," says Brent Hodson, Executive Director of the Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation. "The record proceeds that were raised will help Washington Hospital further expand its highly recognized diabetes program." The proceeds from this year's event directly benefit the Diabetes Education Program at Washington Hospital. This past spring, the Diabetes Education Program at Washington Hospital received the prestigious American Diabetes Association Education Recognition Certificate for a quality diabetes self-management education program. More than 540 guests attended the black-tie optional event that featured an elegant cocktail reception, dinner, silent auction and live entertainment by the Joe Sharino Band and Caribbean Blue. According to the American Diabetes Association, one in three people born after the year 2000 will develop diabetes in their lifetime. "It's important that our District residents have access to high quality diabetes services and the proceeds from this event will support Washington Hospital's diabetes programs into the future," said Hodson. "I would like to sincerely thank everyone who came out to help support this worthy cause." Special thanks to co-chairs, Dr. Ranjana Sharma, Immediate Past Chief of Staff at Washington Hospital and her husband, Rakesh Sharma, Ph.D. and the Top Hat Committee for planning a wonderful evening. Since the first Top Hat Dinner Dance fundraiser was held in 1987, the event has gone on to raise more than $1,000,000 in proceeds that directly support programs and services at Washington Hospital. Washington Hospital's Diabetes Program is located at 1860 Mowry Ave., Suite 200, Fremont, CA. For more information about the program's wide range of services, please call (510) 745-6556. For updated diabetes class and program information, visit www.whhs.com, click on "Services & Programs," and select "Diabetes Services" from the drop-down menu. Washington Hospital Healthcare Foundation would like to extend a warm thank you to Top Hat XXI Sponsors: DIAMOND SPONSOR Fremont Bank EMERALD SPONSORS Reception Sponsor Fremont Marriott Dinner Sponsor Professional Home Care Associates RUBY SPONSORS Dinner Sponsors California Cardiovascular Consultants and Medical Associates & California Hospitalist Medical Corporation Entertainment Sponsor Deccan Pacific Medical Group, P.C. Decorations Sponsor Fremont Healthcare Center Auction & Raffle Sponsor Norcal Ambulance Photography Sponsor Royal Ambulance MEDIA SPONSOR The Argus SAPPHIRE SPONSORS Bayside Interiors Cardinal Health John T. Dearborn, M.D. & Associates Gonsalves & Kozachenko Medtronic CRM Robson Homes, LLC Vintaco, Inc. Washington Radiologists Medical Group, Inc. Washington Township Medical Group, Inc. Zimmer Orthopedics TOP HAT SPONSORS AIG VALIC American Medical Response Cargill Salt Carlton Plaza of Fremont Central Chevrolet Citizens for Better Community Fremont Emergency Medical Group, Inc. Greenstein, Rogoff, Olsen & Co., LLP Oakland Athletics Pete Stark Foundation Ranjana & Rakesh Sharma