Dr. Oz announces his candidacy for the Pennsylvania Senate. Photo: Dr. Oz (Facebook)

PHILIDELPHIA, Penn. — TV show host, Dr. Mehmet Oz, announced yesterday that he’s running for an open republican Pennsylvania Senate seat. The fact that he doesn’t live or even have a second home in Park City hasn’t deterred the cardiothoracic vascular surgeon from contributing to the fabric of Park City society – winter sports. The Turkish-American answers the call when long-time local friends request donations from Oz to nonprofits like Youth Sports Alliance.

Jans Winter Welcome is the annual fundraising gala that raises monies for and distributes those funds throughout seven different sports and hundreds of different developing athletes. Live auction items come in from all around the world offering unique experiences to the highest, high-dollar bidder. Dr. Oz, in the distant and recent past, has donated tickets to attend a taping of his long-running medical-related television talk show which was created by Oprah Winfrey. He also has donated his presence at a fine-dining group experience in the bid winner’s home by Park City chef/ski coach Dar Williams.

In the right place at the right time, in 2013, Dr. Oz was widely recognized and credited with likely saving the life of a USANA 5K race runner in Salt Lake City who had collapsed from pulmonary edema, had trouble breathing, and suffering from fluid in his lungs. Oz, who was acting as the emcee for the race’s podium ceremony, assisted in stabilizing the runner from Ohio in his 50s and ensured his transport to a hospital, visiting him there later.