Online auction to benefit hospital's cancer patients

Take a tried and true method of raising money in a fun way and marry it to modern technology.

What you get is the "Raising Funds, Raising Hope" online auction that Edward Foundation is having with the goal of bringing in $50,000 to serve cancer patients.

Of course, having some great stuff to sell helps, too.

An autographed Rolling Stones guitar, a 1969 Cubs team jersey and an amethyst and diamond pendant are just a few of the items up for bid until 4 p.m. Feb. 10 at www.edwardcancercenter.cmarket .com.

It's the first online auction the foundation has had in years, and on a much larger scale, said Holly Trueblood, director of fundraising for the organization that raises money to benefit departments and programs of Edward Hospital in Naperville.

"We think it's exciting. We think it's the cutting edge of fundraising because it allows us to go out to people who might not have known about us," she said. "We anticipate we'll have bidders from all over the country."

The nearly 90 items that went up for bid Jan. 14 include lots of sports and celebrity memorabilia. (Anyone with a hankering to own a Muhammad Ali signed boxing glove or a mint-condition, framed Beatles album cover, here's your chance.)

But there are lots of other items as well -- from exquisite jewelry pieces donated by local stores to cosmetic procedures, health and fitness packages, collectibles, artwork and restaurant gift certificates.

The challenge is making people aware of the site, Trueblood said. To that end, the foundation has mailed and distributed hundreds of postcards. It's also relying on word-of-mouth to let people know.

"It's all going to the (Edward) Cancer Center," Trueblood said.

The funds could be used to help update technology or support Camp Hope, a summer camp for children of cancer patients, she said.