Chocolate Fest satisfies sweet tooth, supports children with cancer

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Oct. 18, 2024 - PRLog -- Hundreds of chocolate aficionados and pastry lovers descended on Port Charlotte Town Center to satisfy their sweet tooths while raising money to support families with children undergoing cancer treatments.

Held Sept. 28 in Port Charlotte, the seventh annual Chocolate Fest featured nearly two dozen local restaurants, bakeries, country clubs and organizations offering hand-crafted chocolate confections, pastries, cookies, macaroons, fudge, cakes, muffins and more. In exchange for a $15 donation, patrons at Chocolate Fest were encouraged to bring home as many chocolate sweets as they could stuff inside a to-go box during the two-hour event.

Chocolate Fest raised $4,500 to support Children's Cancer Center, a Florida-based nonprofit that serves children and families who are battling cancer and chronic blood disorders. The organization provides emotional, financial and educational support necessary to cope with life-threatening illnesses.

"Children's Cancer Center has been a great ally and resource for families across Southwest Florida," said Dr. David Rice, a board-certified radiation oncologist who treats patients at Advocate Radiation Oncology's cancer treatment centers in Port Charlotte and Venice. "The success of Chocolate Fest generates support for Children's Cancer Center, but more importantly, it's introducing additional people to the organization's mission and its goal of supporting children with cancer and their families."

"What's really massive about this is just the aspect of community," added Nico Meola, assistant director of development and community engagement for Children's Cancer Center. "It's an opportunity to come together and tangibly support one another."

Advocate Radiation Oncology served as presenting event sponsor for Chocolate Fest, along with Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota, Port Charlotte Town Center and Ingman Marine.

Participating vendors included Twin Isles Country Club, Nino's Bakery & Cafe, Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, St. Andrews South Golf Club, Longhorn Steakhouse, The Twisted Fork, Perkins Restaurant & Bakery, Florida Blue, Lava Ice Shop, Sprouts Farmers Market, Panera Bread, Dunkin', Publix, Gilded Grape Winery & Wine Bar, Super Day Express Food Stores, Suncoast Technical College, C's Southern Sweets, Caren Dina's Fresh Fudge, Sprinkle Me Gluten Free, Dollars For Mammograms and Elite DNA Behavioral Health.

About Advocate Radiation Oncology

Advocate Radiation Oncology has a mission to provide compassionate health care expertise to cancer patients. The practice's world-class, board-certified radiation oncologists and researchers trained at some of the nation's top medical schools and access industry-leading technology to treat patients with breast, prostate, lung, brain, head and neck, rectal, liver, bone, cervical and other types of cancers. Advocate is a locally owned practice with nine cancer treatment centers across southern Florida. For more information, please visit AdvocateRO.com.