Scleroderma Foundation Board Members David Parker, JD, SF Board Secretary and Elaine Furst, R.N., B.S.N., M.A. attended the Southern California Chapter's Gala

Party Like It’s 2006

They are separated by nearly 2,300 miles, yet galas held recently in Michigan and Los Angeles benefited identical causes—to raise money, and hope for people living with scleroderma.

The Scleroderma Foundation’s Southern California Chapter held its 10th annual Key to a Cure Gala earlier this month, while the Michigan Chapter held its first Dinner, Diamonds and Dancing Gala this past weekend.

The California gala featured entertainers Marc Curry and Peter Cetera, who once again lent their comedic and singing talents, respectively, to the chapter. Other personalities who attended the event included Desperate Housewives actress Kathryn Joosten, Desire’s Eliana Alexander, Deal or No Deal’s Linsday Clubine, Discovery Channel host Steve Truit and ABC news personality Adrienne Alpert.

Those honored at the gala were Neil Jones, M.D., who received the Janie S. Benner Memorial Spirit Award; David Parker, who received the Spirit of Hope Award; and the UCLA Scleroderma Lung Study team, which received the Spirit of Leadership Award.

Arthur Murray dancers from the Michigan Chapter's Dinner, Dancing & Diamonds Gala. Click on photo to see it larger.

Silent and live auctions, which included such items as VIP tickets to an upcoming sold out Barbara Streisand concert, to laser eye surgery, raised some serious money and good times. Overall, the event raised $215,000. Congratulations and thank you to all involved.

The Michigan gala, meanwhile, drew more than 230 guests to the beautiful Royal Park Hotel in Rochester. Chapter Executive Director Jennifer Viano said the dance floor was packed, with people staying until midnight enjoying the music.

“It was an amazing night,” Viano said. “It was an elegant and fun time had by all.”

Honorees included Maureen Mayes, M.D., who received the Spirit of Leadership Award; Joan Provizer, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award; the Brennan Family, which received the Spirit of Hope Award; Darlene and Mike Martin, who received the Spirit of Inspiration Award; and Health Care Partners, Inc., which received the Distinguished Corporate Service Award.

Viano said the gala grossed in excess of $50,000 and she is in the planning stages of making the gala an annual event.