Overlake Medical Center Hosts 55th Annual Bandage Ball

Bellevue, Wash. – Overlake Medical Center Foundation & Auxiliaries will host its annual Bandage Ball gala and auction on Saturday, March 21 at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue. Proceeds from this year’s event will support Overlake’s mental health services. 

One in five adults—approximately 61.5 million Americans—experience mental illness in a given year. In addition, mental illness is the number one cause of disability among 15 to 44 year olds, with millions of Americans suffering from clinical depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Despite the fact mental health is one of the most relevant health issues facing our country, the resources for care are limited. Overlake is the only hospital on the Eastside to provide a full continuum of mental health services for adults, including inpatient mental health services.

This year, the Bandage Ball aims to raise awareness and funds for these often hidden issues, ensuring people with mental illnesses on the Eastside can get fast and effective treatment. For close to 50 years, Overlake has been committed to providing comprehensive mental health services and needs donations to ensure its services can continue to grow and support the needs of Eastside families.

Funds from the Bandage Ball will directly strengthen and expand Overlake programs. Specifically, donations will support Overlake in more fully integrating psychiatric services with primary care and expanding the medical center’s community mental health education programming. 

“Mental health is a serious issue facing our country and community,” said Overlake CEO J. Michael Marsh. “We believe it deserves focused investment and are doing our part by dedicating proceeds from this year’s Bandage Ball toward strengthening the care available for those who suffer from mental illness.”

One of the Eastside’s premier social events, the Bandage Ball is expected to gather more than 800 community leaders in support of Overlake’s mental health services. First held in 1960 to celebrate the opening of Overlake Hospital, the Bandage Ball has raised more than $11 million in the last 17 years. Last year’s event alone raised nearly $1 million to support the building of Overlake’s new state-of-the-art cancer center, keeping Overlake at the forefront of cancer treatment.

As a nonprofit hospital that receives no public tax support, Overlake relies on gifts to help support program, technology and capital needs and care for patients and families coming to the 349-bed regional medical center and network of clinics.

“The Bandage Ball is one of the many ways our community leaders come together to make sure our neighbors in need have access to the best care possible,” said Molly Stearns, Overlake’s chief development officer. “It is always a pleasure to be able to witness the powerful impact this event has in strengthening health care on the Eastside.”

This year’s event will feature auctioneer Mark Schenfeld from Stokes Auction Group and be emceed by media personality and columnist with the Puget Sound Business Journal Patti Payne. The event includes dinner, a raffle, wine toss, dancing and an auction featuring items such as trips to Sun Valley, Bordeaux, Lummi Island, a catered Lake Washington cruise and Taylor Swift concert tickets. Tickets are $300 per person or $3,000 for a table of 10.