The St. Luke's Hospital-Miners Campus Black Diamond Garden Party on Saturday raised funds for the area's first 3-D mammogram machine.

This annual rain or shine event is a celebration of the accomplishments of St. Luke's Hospital-Miners Campus and the support of the community. The celebration was held at Kemmerer Park and the Harry Packer Mansion. The event was open to anyone who purchases tickets in advance. Community members and hospital staff were among the 230 people in attendance. The Black Diamond Garden Party is St. Luke's largest fundraiser.The 3-D mammogram technology is 50 percent more effective for cancer detection in women with dense breast tissue."It is important for women to know the density of their breast tissue. If it is very dense, a regular mammogram machine may not work," said Dr. Joseph P. Russo, the section chief of Women's Imagery and medical director of the St. Luke's Regional Breast Center.The 3-D mammogram carries the same radiation risk as a standard mammogram machine. Both Russo and St. Luke's Miners Campus President Bill Moyer stressed the importance of yearly mammograms. Moyer said not enough women utilize what is already available. "The best way is to be preventive. It is less costly than catching it down the line."General Electric will provide the 3-D machine for St. Luke's facilities. St. Luke's Miners Campus and G.E. have a productive relationship that allows St. Luke's access to technology before the public. St. Luke's will be the first community hospital to have a 3-D mammogram machine."St. Luke's strives to be on the cutting edge of technology," Moyer said. IIn attendance was annual supporter Joseph Bennett, owner of Bennett Family Dealerships in Lehighton. "These are our mothers, daughters and sisters who will benefit from this technology," he said.Last year's Black Diamond Garden Party raised funds for orthopedic surgery equipment and updates for the critical care unit.Chairman Maureen Donovan said, "The reason for a community hospital is to serve the needs of the community."The support of the community and hospital staff being celebrated was evident. St. Luke's hospital cafeteria staff catered the evening. Gift baskets from local businesses were donated for the silent raffle. The Jim Thorpe Lioness Club opened the Asa Packer Mansion for free tours, and the Jim Thorpe High School National Honors society got involved by cleaning Kemmerer Park a day in advance."I'm grateful for level of support from the medical staff and community," Moyer said.