News Briefs

+ Vitale gala raises funds for cancer research
Lakewood Ranch resident and ESPN commentator Dick Vitale has done it again.

The longtime cancer research advocate, with the help of family, friends and supporters, May 18, raised $2.1 million for the cause at the seventh annual Dick Vitale Gala. Of the $2.1 million, $500,000 was an anonymous donation made during the gala.

Proceeds raised at this year’s gala will benefit pediatric cancer research initiatives at All Children’s Hospital, the Moffit Cancer Center and Shands Cancer Center in Gainesville through The V Foundation, an organization that raises funds for cancer research.

+ East County youth make headlines at history fair
Forty-two students from Manatee County area schools competed at the Florida State History Fair April 29 through May 1, in Tallahassee. Many county team projects earned excellent and superior ratings.

Several East County youth advanced to the highest level of competition, making it to the final round of judging, including Kaitlin Folsom, of Haile Middle School; and Amy Alvarez, Gabby Morford, Mitch Arnold and Tyler Hickman, of Lakewood Ranch High School.

Folsom advanced in the junior individual documentary category for her documentary, “The American Revolution: a Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge.” Lakewood’s students advanced in the senior group exhibit board category for their project, “Barcodes: Scanning the World.”

Additional youths participating in the fair from Lakewood Ranch High School: Kelsey Armstrong, Colin Beightol, Madison Bouchard, Kirstin Clark, Maddie Ehsani, Vinny Franco, Caitlin Hermanson, Katie Kelly, Alexandra Lewis, Zach Matthews, Graham Myers and Andie Tradler.

Additional competitors from Haile Middle School were Chloe Gingerich, Hannah Michell Reynolds and Breanna Thomas.

Competitors from Nolan Middle were Kerina Adamson, Maggie Eschmann, Hannah Figueras, Madison Frost, Liberty Grimond, Athena Kavis, Mati Limbach, Alysa Ness and Olivia Yaryura.

+ Dental office hosts cancer-screening event
Creekwood Dental offered free oral-cancer screenings during a special event for the public May 9.
Drs. Amir Guirguis and Jennifer Pfeiffer and their team were on site to screen patients with VELscope technology, which uses a blue light to help dentists see oral abnormalities.

More than 37,000 Americans are diagnosed with oral cancer annually, of which 25% have no risk factors, Guirguis said.