Party watch
Patrick Swayze's widow opens up on her struggle to care for him with Friends of Nursing
What: St. Luke's Foundation 25th anniversary Friends of Nursing luncheon.
Where: River Oaks Country Club.
The 411: Actress and author Lisa Niemi Swayze spoke about her book, Worth Fighting for: Love, Loss and Moving Forward, and her experiences caring for Patrick Swayze, her husband of 34 years, as he battled pancreatic cancer for the gathering 300 guests. Kim Tutcher chaired the luncheon that raised $240,000 for continuing education for nurses. The inaugural St. Luke’s Friends of Nursing Betty Trotter Award for Excellence was presented to Brenda Durio, who practiced nursing at St. Luke's for more than 40 years.
Who: The faithful Friends of Nursing supporters included Swayze's fiance Albert DePrisco, Dr. Veronica Selinko-Curran, Dan Tutcher, Patsy Fourticq, Donna Vallone, Christie Sullivan, Susan Hansen, Evelyn Howell, Sidney Faust, Sandy Barrett, Tricia Dewhurst, Bobbie Nau and Karen Myers, vice president and chief nursing officer, wearing a vintage nurse's uniform.