SanCap Cares, our island community’s effort to support Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, will return to a live, in-person gala this year on April 3rd at The Sanctuary Golf Club. Again in 2022, a familiar name joins in the fundraising effort. The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company has agreed to serve as Presenting Sponsor of the Island Celebration.

“We are delighted to continue our annual support of this movement and event,” said Al Hanser, Founder and Chairman of The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company. “Healthcare has been a significant focus these past two years, and supporting our community’s children’s hospital is more important than ever. We stand by our island families and friends to help raise significant funding for this important cause.”

The focus of this year’s fundraising efforts is “All About the Brain”. Golisano Children’s Hospital continues to work to strengthen its Pediatric Mental Health services, while embarking on a new Neurosurgery program and the formation of a brain research and education partnership with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. A renowned neurosurgeon, Dr. Theodore Spinks, has joined the Golisano team to oversee development of the program.

“We will be forever grateful for the Sanibel and Captiva communities, and specifically our friends at The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, who have given generously for over two decades to support children’s healthcare in our community,” said Dr. Emad Salman, Regional Medical Officer; Chief Physician and Operations Executive of Golisano Children’s Hospital. “As we look to the future, I am proud to see pediatric neurosurgery come to our region through philanthropic support. As a pediatric oncologist, this service is something I have wished would come to fruition for over 25 years.”

Continued Alyssa Bostwick, Chief Nursing and Operations Executive of Golisano Children’s Hospital: “I am thankful for Al Hanser and his team at The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company who have given us the opportunity to provide world class healthcare close to home for many children through their continued partnership. As the community continues to grow, there is a critical need for pediatric neurosurgery, and gifts to SanCap Cares will support this important initiative. This neurosurgery program, in affiliation with Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, has been two years in the making and has already made a tremendous impact.”

The 2022 SanCap Cares Island Celebration will share details of these critical programs, while providing an exciting and memorable experience for guests and supporters. The “Olde Florida Nights”-themed festivities will include amazing culinary tastings and a signature cocktail to accompany the compelling “Give to Give” auction of items to support the hospital’s programs.

The celebration will culminate with a five-star dinner and world-class entertainment by The Modern Gentlemen, who return to Sanibel after their unforgettable first performance at the SanCap Cares gala in 2019. The quartet of talented entertainers, originally brought together by Frankie Valli, blend tight, four-part harmonies with today’s sound to create the ultimate vocal experience.

“We are so excited to be back in person, and we invite the entire Sanibel-Captiva community to find their own way to support these critical services at Golisano Children’s Hospital,” said SanCap Cares Committee member Valerie Tutor.  “The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company has returned as presenting sponsor, and The Sanctuary will again play host. It will be a great celebration of SanCap Cares’ 22nd year.”

Since its inception in 2001, islanders have raised more than $17,000,000 to support the life-changing work at Southwest Florida’s children’s hospital.  SanCap Cares organizers hope this year’s theme of “All About the Brain” will keep friends coming to this unique celebration.

SanCap Cares began as a grassroots organization of islanders in 2001. Its mission is to raise money and awareness for Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida. To learn more about SanCap Cares, visit SanCapCares.org. For more information on The Sanibel Captiva Trust Company, visit SanCapTrustCo.com.