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Night in Havana
Sponsors, Donors and Guests help to raise over $40,000 for Illinois HD
families at the 5 th Annual HDSA Illinois Celebration of Hope
The 5 th Annual Celebration of Hope was a magical evening of hope for the nearly 200 guests who
attended the “Night In Havana” themed gala on August 28th at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel.
Hosted by Marion Brooks of NBC News Chicago, the gala began with Cuban music, cocktails, a
mojito bar and hors d’oeuvres in the midst of a silent auction with over 60 packages outside the
hotel’s grand ballroom. A reception was also held in the hotel’s terrace, with incredible views
of
downtown Chicago and the Chicago River. The receptions were followed by an elegant sit-down
dinner as the director of the HDSA Center of Excellence at Rush University, Dr. Kathleen
Shannon, and HDSA CEO, Louise Vetter, addressed the guests.
A special part of the evening was a video presentation by Black Cat Productions titled “About
Huntington’s Disease.” The well-received presentation was an informational piece on
Huntington’s Disease that included interviews with Dr. Shannon as well as members of the
Rybarzyk/Marchetti family of Illinois, who openly talked about being caregivers to loved ones with
HD while at risk themselves.
The gala, which is held to raise funds for Illinois ’
only medical facility dedicated to patients
affected by HD, the HDSA Center of Excellence at Rush University Medical Center, recognized
local leaders who have made significant contributions in the areas of science, sports, public
service, cultural diversity and business as well as those who demonstrate courage and hope in
the conduct of their personal and professional lives. We are proud to have honored some of
Illinois’ top leaders with the 2009 HDSA Illinois Awards of Excellence:
Public Service : Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois State Treasurer
Community & Enrichment Leadership :
Richard L. Rodriguez, President, CTA
Professional Achievement: Mary
B. Richardson-Lowry, Partner, Mayer-Brown LLP
Sports: Linda Mastandrea, 15-time wheelchair track gold medalist & Director of Paralympic
Sports, Chicago 2016
Corporate Achievement: Lundbeck,
Inc.
Illinois Family of the Year: The
Marchetti/Rybarczyk Family
The 5 th Annual Celebration of Hope was indeed a night to remember, complete with a live auction
and Cuban-inspired dance performances by River North Chicago Dance Company that dazzled
our guests for nearly 30 minutes and left us wanting to see more. The night ended with salsa
dancing thanks to lively musical performances by the very talented salsa ensemble, Charanga
Tropical.
We thank Mayor Richard M. Daley for being the event’s Honorary Chair. Although he could not
attend, he sent his best wishes for a successful event. Thank you to everyone who supported the
5 th Annual Celebration of Hope through ticket purchase, program ads, donations, auction bidding,
performances and volunteering. A big thank you to all of our 2009 sponsors. We raised over
$40,000 for the HDSA Center of Excellence at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. This
would not have been possible without the generosity of our loyal supporters.
We hope to see you at the 6 th Annual HDSA Illinois Celebration of Hope. Details about next
year’s gala will be listed in our next newsletter and in the HDSA Illinois website, www.hdsa-il.org.
If you are interested in being part of the 2010 Celebration of Hope Planning Committee, please
contact Blanca Hernandez-McCarthy at bmccarthy@hdsa.org. We’re looking for volunteers to join
our team and help make the 6 th Annual Celebration of Hope another HDSA night to remember!
HDSA’s Celebration of Hope events are held annually across the country in support of
the HDSA Center of Excellence for Family Services Program. These gala events bring together the community served by an HDSA Center of Excellence
or a potential new HDSA Center of Excellence. The HDSA Celebration of Hope events are tangible demonstrations of the
positive impact our Centers have on a particular region.
To find out more about these HDSA Celebration of Hope events in your area or the HDSA Center of Excellence Program, click here. You can also contact National HDSA at 1 800-345-HDSA (4372) or e-mail HDSA at hdsainfo@hdsa.org.
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