Chelsea Community Hospital raised more than $234,000 for its new comprehensive cancer center at a recent auction.

The hospital is undergoing a $60-million expansion project that will result in a multi-phase expanded facility.

The project, which broke ground March 22, consists of a two-story addition, including a 54 new beds, which will make all the hospital’s rooms private, as well as a new emergency room, x-ray/imaging areas, outpatient rehab/therapy, front entrance, and lobby.

About 330 people turned out in their favorite Big Ten team attire for the hospital’s 26th Annual Spring Auction, “Big Ten Tailgate,” last month,

Proceeds will fund the purchase of a linear accelerator for radiation therapy.

In addition “The Pause for Pledge,” portion of the evening also broke previous records, raising more than $77,000 in less than 10 minutes, which surpassed the goal of $50,000, according to a press release from the hospital.

The money will support a variety of patient comfort items needed for the future linear accelerator radiation services.

This year’s auction was chaired by Kathy and Lou Magagna, M.D. and co-chaired by Johnny and Cindy Mitchell, while honorary chairmen for the event were Jim Woods and Sharon Hubbard.

Judy Stratman, CCH director of marketing and development called the fundraising response, “a true indicator of the strong support in our community for our local hospital, and for having cancer care close to home. What a great community our hospital serves.”

The not-for-profit hospital employs about 1,050 full- and part-time staff and reported $96,471,284 in unrestricted revenue in fiscal year 2008.

Lisa Allmendinger is a regional reporter for AnnArbor.com. She can be reached at lisaallmendinger@annarbor.com. For more Chelsea stories, visit our Chelsea page.