The Celebration

The Houston Gulf Coast Chapter of JDRF hosted its 20th Anniversary Platinum Promise Ball at the elegant Hilton Americas-Houston. The glittering event celebrated two decades of achievement for JDRF, which is the global leader in type 1 diabetes research. Mary D’Andrea and Dr. Mark D’Andrea chaired the uplifting event. The presenting sponsor was Hagans Montgomery & Rustay P.C.

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The Story

Shimmering with platinum accents, the ballroom at the Hilton Americas-Houston provided the perfect setting for a fabulous evening that began with guests bidding on a variety of silent auction items while sipping cocktails. After sitting down to a fabulous meal, participants, many of whom sparkled in beaded gowns and silver bow ties, enjoyed the spirited live auction. It featured tickets for the Kentucky Derby and the American Music Awards, lavish vacations, and even a goldendoodle puppy. The Liskow & Lewis afterparty followed with dancing to Professor D, a casino, scotch tasting, and late-night snacks of breakfast tacos.

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The Moments

Emceed by Andrea Bishop, the evening included a moving program that began with JDRF Houston Gulf Coast Chapter Board President, Elizabeth Lay, recounting the story of the organization’s support when her son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Lay also spoke of the significant fundraising efforts of the evening’s 2019 Promise Ball honoree, Daniel Yates, who was surprised with a video featuring his family and friends. Dr. Alana Spiwak and Sam Stolbun were presented with the 2019 Fielding and Meredith Cocke Visionary Award, which was especially meaningful for the couple, because the date was also the 20th anniversary of their own daughter’s diagnosis. During the Fund-A-Cure portion of the event, the Fisher family was featured in this year’s emotional video.

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The successful evening raised $1.9 million.

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Guests: Mary and Dr. Mark D’Andrea, Elizabeth Lay, Ernest Hunter II, William Hagans, Fred Hagans, Abby and Daniel Yates, Judith and Lance Perdue, Gina and Dr. Devinder Bhatia, Amber and Clay Bretches, Jordan and Brian Amis, Rick Byrd, Jennifer and Ernest Sotuyo, Leslie Margolis, Josh Paull, Rosalyn and Barry Margolis, Dr. Alana Spiwak, Sam Stolbun, Anna and Michael Desormeaux, Michael Soper, Amber Goodson, Robert Monson, Julie and Steve Westlund, Suzette and Marshall Lang, Meredith and Fielding Cocke, Christy Schnellhardt, and Rebecca Brown.

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About JDRF

JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. JDRF’s goal is to progressively remove the impact of diabetes from people’s lives until a world without T1D is achieved. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners and is the only organization with the scientific resources, regulatory influence, and working plan capable of bringing life-changing therapies from the lab to the T1D community.

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For more information, please visit http://www.jdrf.org/Houston or follow JDRF on Facebook.