PORTLAND — The second annual “Martinis and Art,” a unique and whimsical fundraiser to benefit Maine cancer patients, will be held on Thursday, Oct. 25, from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute on Commercial Street.

The centerpiece of the evening will be a drawing where lucky event ticket holders will win a piece of art of their choice donated by top regional artists. Those attending will be treated to a night of great conversation, martinis, music by jazz piano trio Standard Issue and amazing art displayed for viewing pleasure. Jonathan Edwards, Maine resident and singer songwriter, and Kathleen Shannon, WCSH news anchor and co-host of 207, are the evening’s special guests.

Tickets can be purchased by visiting MartinisAndArt.org or by calling the American Cancer Society at 373-3742. The cost is $85 each for event admission and includes one drawing ticket. If you cannot decide on one piece of art, additional drawing tickets can be purchased at the event for $40 each or three for $100.

The proceeds from the event will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Patient Navigator Program in Maine. This program provides much needed support to Maine’s most vulnerable cancer patients and their families.

Susan Miesfeldt, M.D., one of the organizers of the event, is a medical oncologist and medical director of the Cancer Risk and Prevention Clinic at the Maine Medical Center Cancer Institute. “Receiving a cancer diagnosis can be overwhelming emotionally, physically, and financially,” said Miesefeldt. “Our inaugural event in 2011 raised over $20,000 and the funds were used to assist patients, their families and caregivers navigate their cancer journey.”

Prominent Maine artists donating art to this year’s event include Jac Ouellette, Lindsay Hancock, Holly Ready, Anne Ireland, Ronnie Wilson, Dietland Vander Schaaf, Jeffrey Peacock and Rhonda Pearle. Event organizers are looking for additional artwork. Maine artists who would like to donate a painting and/or print should submit a JPEG photo and description of the art to Jac Ouellette at [email protected].

For more information about the event, call 373-3742. For more information about the American Cancer Society or the patient navigator program, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.