PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - s4story -- Every chocolate treat will serve a greater purpose on Sept. 26 as the ninth annual Chocolate Festival brings Southwest Florida together to support children and families facing pediatric cancer.

From noon to 2 p.m. at Port Charlotte Town Center, local restaurants, country clubs and bakeries will offer tastings of chocolate treats, baked goods and other confections. Admission is $15, with proceeds benefiting Children's Cancer Center and its programs for families battling pediatric cancer and chronic blood disorders.

Now in its ninth year, Chocolate Festival has become an annual opportunity for local businesses and community members to rally around those families. Last year's event raised more than $5,000 to help meet the immediate needs of local children and their families.

"When a child is facing cancer, the effects reach far beyond a diagnosis and touch the entire family," said Dr. David Rice, a board-certified radiation oncologist who treats patients at Advocate Radiation Oncology's cancer treatment centers in Port Charlotte and Venice. "Chocolate Festival reminds these families that there is a community standing behind them. We're proud to be part of an event that turns generosity into meaningful support when families need it most."

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Children's Cancer Center provides emotional, financial and educational support to children and families battling pediatric cancer and chronic blood disorders. Its 30 programs and services currently help more than 8,000 children and family members.

Advocate Radiation Oncology is the presenting sponsor for Chocolate Festival alongside Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Sarasota and Port Charlotte Town Center.

Tickets are available online at e.givesmart.com/events/Qaq. Local establishments wanting to participate can contact Linda Vernon at 941-961-3439 or LVernon@AdvocateRO.com.

About Advocate Radiation Oncology

Advocate Radiation Oncology has a mission to provide compassionate health care expertise to cancer patients. The practice's world-class, board-certified radiation oncologists and researchers trained at some of the nation's top medical schools and access industry-leading technology to treat patients with breast, prostate, lung, brain, head and neck, rectal, liver, bone, cervical and other types of cancers. Advocate is a fully physician-owned practice with 16 cancer treatment centers across southern Florida. For more information, please visit AdvocateRO.com.