October has ended and so has Breast Cancer awareness month, which was once again a success for bringing awareness to the local community.

Burlington resident Diane Bentivegna, the wife of Angelo Bentivegna and founder of the fundraising event “Beauty and the Bistro” faced and beat breast cancer three years ago.

The family’s personal battle with cancer inspired Angelo Bentivegna to host his first breast cancer fundraiser this year.

“We have done small things in the past but this is our first major event this year,” said Bentivegna.

Bentivegna hopes to continue hosting “Beauty and the Bistro” during every October in the future.

The cocktail party was more than just wine and food sampling. Bentivegna’s mission was to have all the proceeds raised during the event to be donated to the Joseph Brant Memorial Hospital Foundation to purchase a state-of-the-art digital mammography machine with biopsy attachment.

“This digital mammography machine is able to detect small cancer cells quickly before they spread or get worse,” said Bentivegna.

Bentivegna said that the mammography equipment’s cost could vary much like a mobile phone depending on when it’s purchased. However, it could cost the hospital well over six-figures.

“This year we’ve been adjusting our goals for the fundraiser weekly. We started off with $20 thousand now we’re looking at over 50 plus,” said Bentivegna.

“Beauty and the Bistro” came at absolutely no cost to Bentivegna and his family. They were able to have 10 local restaurants, two microbreweries, and nine wineries participate to make “Beauty and the Bistro” a success.

“From the tents to the tables the food was served on, to the entertainment, everything was completely donated,” said Bentivegna.

Bentivegna says that without these local businesses, this event couldn’t have been a success.

“They have given unselfishly of themselves and their businesses. I want the community to understand that we need to support these people.”

Breast Cancer Awareness Month