VIP Destin at The Twisted Grape

Leslie & Bill Cooper 

Alanna Charnock & Roly Alvarez 

Amanda Hall & Brandy Flippo

Dr. James Stevens, Dr. Warren Amos & Roly Alvarez 

Paul & Cindy Wojdac, Terrell & Sheila Tourelle 

Debbie Thomas, Bruno & Kathleen Windham 

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Debbie Thomas, Bruno & Kathleen Windham 

photos & story by

Michele Nicholson

P

opping the Cork on Cancer is one creative way to bring together people 
eager to provide financial help to cancer patients in need, whether 
it’s gas money for transportation to medical treatments or purchasing 
a breast cancer patient’s prosthetic bra. The Twisted Grape, with 

its extensive wine list, popped plenty of corks towards that on March 25, as it 
played host to a wine-tasting fundraiser for 21st Century Oncology’s program for 
Cancer Assistance, Research and Education – or CARE.

   

As attendees sampled wines from around the world, they could browse the silent 
auction opportunities such as helicopter rides, gift baskets, pirate cruises and 
golf outings. Combined with ticket sales, proceeds from the auction also helped 
infuse funds into the non-profit CARE foundation. Best of all, event organizer 

Roly Alvarez says 100 percent of the proceeds from a CARE fundraiser stay 
in the county in which the event is held, directly benefiting those hometown 
patients.

   

With the availability of 21st Century Oncology’s CARE program, and the local 
community’s willingness to pitch in its support, cancer patients in need can have 
fewer financial worries. That, in return, allows those patients to better focus on 
what matters most, beating their disease. 

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4/24/17   12:07 PM