photo by: Shelley Hanson

Artist Rachel Goodman begins her work on a floral painting during the Think Pink dinner on Thursday at Wheeling Park’s White Palace.

WHEELING — Hundreds of people gathered Thursday to raise money to help breast cancer patients in need during the annual Think Pink dinner at Wheeling Park’s White Palace.

Committee member Kelly Gompers said she was hoping by the night’s end that the dinner would raise at least $75,000 for those battling breast cancer.

Gompers believed that figure could go even higher based on the enthusiasm for the dinner. For the second year running, tickets for it sold out quickly.

Money raised from the dinner and the 104 auction baskets/raffles held during the event will go toward the Janie Altmeyer Fund, which helps provide items such as gas cards, wigs and more for women receiving breast cancer treatment locally.

Altmeyer started a small dinner among friends to raise money for breast cancer survivors. After she passed, the dinner has grown and is now held annually in her memory. Her famous vegetable lasagna is also served during the event.

“We have a lot of people who come every year,” Gompers said. “We have $50,000 worth of sponsorships this year.”

Gompers said the event is special to many people because they have been impacted by breast cancer themselves or have friends and family who have been through it, too.

“Breast cancer has, unfortunately, touched the lives of so many people in the Ohio Valley and nationally,” she said. “We raised about $60,000 last year. We are on target and hoping, if all goes well … I’m hoping for somewhere close to six figures.”

Dr. Rosemarie Hardin, co-chairwoman of Think Pink and a breast surgeon at WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital, said she wanted to thank all who participate in Think Pink.

“We want to thank everyone. We have an amazingly generous community that helps make this an outstanding event,” Hardin said. “We truly appreciate it because all of the funds that are raised stay here locally in the valley to take care of women conquering breast cancer.”