Eat, drink and be merry. All for a good cause.
On Thursday, Chattanoogans are invited to Three Blind Wines, a fundraiser for cystic fibrosis.
According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, cystic fibrosis "is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States." The predicted median age of survival, according to CFF, is mid-30s.
IF YOU GO* What: Three Blind Wines.* When: 6-9 p.m. Thursday.* Where: Loose Cannon Art Gallery, 1800A Rossville Ave.* Admission: $25, plus 3 bottles of wine.* Phone: 593-0756.* Website: www.cff.org.
"I want to make sure that the life expectancy (continues to improve)," said Valarie Swafford, who is coordinating the event. Swafford said she started working for CF when she became friendly with families affected by the disease. She said she's motivated by "just knowing somebody that was affected and knowing that I wanted to help them get to see their child grow and have a full life."
The first Three Blind Wines event took place in 2009. According to Swafford, the event raised about $11,000, 90 percent of which went to cystic fibrosis research. Organizers are projecting $15,000 for this year's event.
Each individual or couple is invited to bring one bottle of red, one of white and one repeat (an additional bottle of either). The bottles will be cloaked at the door for blind tasting. Guests also will be able to taste samplings of food from local eateries and have an opportunity to win more than 100 bottles of wine.
"It's a great social event, and it's for a great cause," Swafford said. "I love knowing that people are having a great time and the money is actually affecting people who I know."