The Crowd: Putting a dent in diabetes
They called on donors to “Join the Revolution” to end diabetes — in particular, Type 1 diabetes (T1D), affecting some 3 million Americans, including a large number of children.
It is estimated that, currently, some 26 million Americans overall are afflicted with some form of the disease, with Type 2 diabetes being the more prevalent form. Experts predict that the No. 2 cases could easily double in coming decades if something is not done to stop the trend.
On March 28 at Newport Beach’s Island Hotel, some 350 advocates of finding a cure came together for the 2015 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Gala, raising an impressive $800,000 earmarked for diabetes research.
DRF is actually the largest supporter of T1D scientific research, and the national organization is funding $530 million in research in 17 countries. Forbes Magazine named JDRF in 2012 as one of its five All-Star charities with regards to JDRF’s “efficiency and effectiveness.” The Orange County Chapter has been among the nation’s most active and philanthropic.
The 2015 event was chaired by Greer Wylder, founder and editor of the online site “Greer’s O.C.” Honored guests were Drs. Larry Silverberg and Nancy Silverberg, physicians at Silverberg Surgical and Medical Group in Newport Beach.
The couple has devoted much of their professional and personal life to finding a cure for T1D. Their daughter Amy was diagnosed with the disease at age 10. Today, Amy is pursuing her Ph.D at USC in writing and literature. She thrives, but there is still no cure. Cathy Sleva, executive director of JDRF’s Orange County Chapter, commented, “We are incredibly thankful to the Silverberg family. They have joined in the JDRF mission to find better treatment, prevention and, eventually, a cure.”
Additional support for the gala came from corporate donor and evening honoree Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. Joining the list of generous patrons were Mary and Dick Allen, also responsible for Hoag Hospital’s diabetes program through the Mary and Dick Allen Diabetes Center. Toni and Steve Berlinger, Ellen Darling and Alex Conti, Jackie and Norm Kallan, Julie and Michael Hellmers, Donna Longo, and Barbara and John Stoner were among the many supporting the cause.
The elegant evening was created around a 1960s theme, produced by Michael Mora Productions. The nod to “mod” began with a cocktail reception featuring the night’s signature vodka concoction made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Dinner took on a dose of whimsy with a first course of “not your mother’s” ’60s Campbell’s cream of tomato soup accompanied by a mini-grilled cheese sandwich. The entree was billed as “In the Kennedy Kitchen at Hyannisport” surf n’ turf featuring filet of steak Diane and King Crab. For dessert, Julia Child‘s sticky toffee pudding.
The crowd bid handsomely on both silent and live auctions and raised $285,000 at the “Fund a Cure” portion of the event, then danced to a DJ until the Cinderella Hour.
Spotted in the lively crowd were donors Ann and Marc Winthrop, Amy and James Chergery, Bronwyn and Scott Farber, Christina and Brian Jenkins, Michelle and Kenneth Lockwood, Andrea and Dave Phillips, and Analisa and Bruce Albert.
To learn more about the OC Chapter of JDRF, go to oc.jdrf.org.
THE CROWD runs Fridays and Saturdays. B.W. Cook is editor of the Bay Window, the official publication of the Balboa Bay Club in Newport Beach.
