Courtesy: JDRF Houston | Photos: C.J Martinez and Daniel Ortiz
More than 800 supporters’ collective efforts yielded an impressive sum that will have a life-changing impact on those living with type 1 diabetes (T1D).
Emcee and Host of Houston Texans TV, Drew Dougherty, welcomed guests to their tables and thanked the evening’s sponsors before dinner. The program provided estimated carbohydrate counts for each menu item because individuals with type 1 diabetes must count every carb consumed to ensure the best possible control of their blood sugars.
Dougherty invited Promise Ball Chairs Jordan and Brian Amis, along with their son Charlie, to the stage, and the couple shared their experience of the hope that blossomed through JDRF when their then 10-month-old son (now 15) was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.
The Amises then introduced Honoree Dr. Pam Carmain, who joined them on stage with her son Grant and daughter Kate. Carmain’s collaboration with JDRF Houston began with Grant’s diagnosis of type 1 diabetes sixteen years ago at the age of nine. As a physician at Texas Children’s Hospital, she cared for children with T1D during residency and in her medical practice. However, managing this complex disease in her own child brought the realization that other families lacked the connections and resources available to her.
Executive Director of JDRF Southern Texas Chapter Rick Byrd joined Dougherty to recognize Rosalyn and Barry Margolis with the Meredith and Fielding Cocke Visionary Award. The Margolises have been among the longest, most generous, and most active supporters since the early days of the Houston JDRF Chapter. For more than 40 years, each has served on the board of directors and numerous event committees and has been invaluable advisors to JDRF’s planning and growth. Rosalyn has had type 1 diabetes for 42 years.
Auctioneer Jim Jungers from Stokes Auction House kicked off the fiercely competitive live auction, and all live auction items received well over five-figure bids.
The Fund A Cure portion of the evening, part of the program that invites guests to raise their paddles to help fund the cure for type 1 diabetes, recognized the Cerny Family of six (parents Rose and Chris, who have four children, three who have been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes). During the raise, John O’Shea challenged the crowd to reach $1 million, and in turn, he would add $500,000 to the total, which resulted in an amazing grand total of $1.8 million for Fund A Cure.
Additional fundraising activities included an extensive silent auction and big board chaired by Lindsay Wright Brett and Christie Stewart, an exquisite wine pull, and a jewelry sweepstakes.
The fundraiser wrapped up the evening with a three-hour live stage performance by the high-energy pop-rock cover band Skyrocket!
Attendees flocked to the casino tables to try their luck playing poker, roulette, blackjack, and dice games during the Casino After Party hosted by Liskow, all for a chance to win coveted prizes.
For more information about JDRF, visit Jdrf.org.
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