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Whiskey, wine, food and fashion event benefits Southlake cancer centre

Returning after a pandemic pause, the Nov. 10 fundraiser will see the Newmarket hospital's physicians, volunteers take to the catwalk to benefit the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre
healthcare providers at the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake
Some members of the health-care team at the Stronach Regional Cancer Centre at Southlake.

Great food, wine and whisky, a live auction and watching men strut their stuff on the catwalk, all while raising money for a good cause — what could be better than that?

NewRoads Automotive Group presents the Whiskey, Wine & MR Menswear Fashion Show Nov. 10 at the NewRoads Performing Arts Centre in Newmarket in support of cancer care at Southlake Regional Health Centre.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for whiskey sampling, wine tasting and food.

The fashion show by Aurora's MR Menswear starts at 7:45 p.m. and will feature Southlake physicians and philanthropy cabinet members as the models.

There will also be a live auction.

The event began in 2019 and was not held in 2020 due to the pandemic. The concept was the brainchild of cancer survivor Mike Rathke, owner of MR Menswear.

Rathke began holding fashion shows at his store in 2007 and donating proceeds to Southlake, but it wasn't until 2019 that he decided to partner with the hospital for the event.

"It's just gotten bigger over the years," Rathke said. "It's important to me because I've been through it and a lot of us have either gone through it or had family members go through it."

The support he receives from the community amazes him, Rathke said, adding many people know about his philanthropy and his own experience with cancer.

"It's incredible how the community works as a team. I mention it to people, I don't even ask people to come, they just automatically show up, it's incredible. I'm very fortunate that way."

Proceeds will support the most urgent priorities of Stronach Regional Cancer Centre, now in its 11th year, to provide patients with leading-edge cancer care.

Southlake’s cancer centre serves close to 1.5 million people in York Region, North York, and south Simcoe County.

Southlake sees more than 12,000 chemotherapy and supportive treatment visits, more than 29,000 radiation treatment sessions, and nearly 66,000 outpatient visits in a year.

While the goal is to raise money for cancer treatment equipment, it's also to provide the community the opportunity to meet the people from Southlake, said Julie Fiorini, vice-president of marketing and community engagement for Southlake Foundation.

"It's really more of a community engagement event, just a way to get people to meet some of the faces behind the names at Southlake."

Tickets, $75, can be purchased online.

Public health safety restrictions and guidelines will be in place at the venue, including proof of full vaccination and use of masks as directed by the Province of Ontario.