Gather a Group Now to Savor a Meal, Save a Life – and Win

One of the nation’s greatest restaurant cities is again giving foodies a chance to eat out and give back at the same time – but this year Dining Out for Life (DOFL) Charleston has a new twist: two prize opportunities for those who gather to dine at their favorite participating restaurants.

More than 30 eateries will give a percentage of their profits earned on April 25 to DOFL, and the funds will help fight HIV/AIDS through the Roper St. Francis Ryan White Program.

Through the generosity of local restaurants and diners, DOFL raised more than $50,000 in 2012. This year’s event is poised to make an even bigger impact.

To spice things up a bit, two prizes are being served up on the day of the event. The grand prize is a weekend for two in Asheville, N.C., while the second prize is a $200 gift card to be used at a DOFL restaurant of choice.

Philanthropic diners are encouraged to plan ahead by registering online as a DOFL Charleston table host and a chance to win the Asheville trip. The table host who raises the most money on April 25 will win. The winner will be announced May 17.

Second prize, a $200 gift card, is for social media savvy diners. Follow the Roper St. Francis Ryan White program on Facebook and Twitter for more details on how to win.

Proceeds from the event, now in its third year, benefit the Ryan White Program at Roper St. Francis, which helps coordinate comprehensive medical care and treatment for local residents living with HIV and AIDS.

According to Aaron O’Brien, Roper Saint Francis Ryan White Program coordinator, the DOFL event has a menu that is sure to satisfy everyone’s palate for dining and giving.

“It couldn’t be easier to participate and give back,” says O’Brien. “Grab breakfast on the way to work, take your coworkers out for lunch or meet a group of friends for dinner and drinks. The restaurant does all the work and makes a donation on your behalf.”

Federally funded Ryan White programs have been established in many communities as a result of legislation to improve availability of care for low-income, uninsured and under-insured people with HIV/AIDS and their families. The programs honor the legacy of Ryan White, an Indiana teenager with hemophilia who contracted HIV through a blood transfusion. White died in 1990 after fighting AIDS-related discrimination and championing efforts to educate the nation about the infectious disease. More than $3 million dollars a year is raised during DOFL events across the country.

For more information about DOFL Charleston and the grand prize trip to Asheville, visit www.diningoutforlife.com/charleston. Information about the RSF Ryan White Program is available at www.ryanwhiteofcharleston.org. Follow the Ryan White Program on Facebook and Twitter for great updates and the opportunity to pocket some dining cash April 25.

About Roper St. Francis Healthcare
Roper St. Francis Healthcare is the Lowcountry’s only private, not-for-profit healthcare provider. The 657-bed system comprises more than 90 facilities and services in seven counties. Member hospitals include Roper Hospital, Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital and Roper St. Francis Mount Pleasant Hospital, each of which is accredited by The Joint Commission. Our active medical staff is made up of more than 800 board certified physicians. The group includes Roper St. Francis Physician Partners, an expansive network of more than 200 physicians who offer primary care and 20 subspecialties. Roper St. Francis Healthcare is routinely recognized for excellence in patient care by national organizations and agencies such as BlueCross BlueShield, the Commission on Cancer, National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers, Thomson Reuters, U.S. News & World Report, Consumer Reports and more. With more than 5,200 employees, RSFH is Charleston’s largest private employer, and the system consistently scores in the superior category for patient and physician satisfaction. www.rsfh.com