The UVA Christmas spirit is captured in a wreath up for auction and currently hanging in a UVA Health Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center hall with 112 others. The auction will raise money to help patients who face financial challenges. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
On the door, over the mantle, in the foyer, on the dining room table – where you choose to greet the holidays is totally up to you.
How you choose to greet them – with dachshunds leaping through the snow, festive femurs or even a hedgehog holiday – depends upon how much you care to bid on any one or more of the 113 holiday-themed wreaths up for auction and currently hanging on the walls of the UVA Health Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center.
The annual cancer center wreath auction, now 15 years old (with a break during the pandemic), is a holiday tradition spreading cheer not just to winning bidders, but to cancer patients who face barriers to treatment, from a lack of transportation to too few funds for lodging or food.
“The funds raised from the wreath auction will support patients experiencing these challenges, allowing them to access the treatment they need,” said University of Virginia second-year student Sofia Marigliano, who is co-chairing the event with fourth-year student Laughlin Ryan. Both are Madison House volunteers. “All of the 113 wreaths were generously handmade by team members throughout UVA Health.”
From gingerbread men to Candyland, more than 100 wreaths with a variety of themes await bidding in the annual fundraiser. (Photo by Matt Riley, University Communications)
The wreaths present wide-ranging themes, including hot cocoa and a chat with UVA President Jim Ryan, gnomes for the holidays and an Appalachian Christmas.
Christmas must be something more, because there are more Taylor Swift-themed holiday rings than ever before, with five spirited spirals “Taylor”-made to wish bidders a very merry Swiftmas. While most motifs are of traditional seasonal cheer, three stellar “Star Wars”-themed holiday hoops are also up for bid.
The auction began Nov. 28 and continues through Dec. 6 at 8 p.m. Wreaths will be available for pickup on Dec. 7 and Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The wreaths may be seen up close at the UVA Health Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center.
Assistant Editor, UVA Today Office of University Communications
bkm4s@virginia.edu 434-924-3778
