CYSTIC FIBROSIS GALA

Superheroes the apt theme

Superheroes was an apt theme for the Summit Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis 14th Annual Gala held April 27 at the Hyatt Regency Calgary. Brainchild of Nicki Perkins, founder of the foundation and gala chair, Perkins is a CF survivor of more than 45 years.

“Having CF is like being born into a boat on the ocean with a lot of holes. A simple way to get a feel of what it is like to have CF — take that straw out of your drink, put it in your mouth, plug your nose and breathe for one minute,” says Perkins, a heroic and dynamic lady if there ever was one. That she is a CrossFit athlete, coach and gym owner is a shining example of how one can make the most out of being dealt a rotten deck of cards.

More than 300 guests donned their superhero (and supervillain) finest to attend the gala and succeeded in raising more than $70,000 for cystic fibrosis research being done at the

U of C’s Cumming School of Medicine, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. Since its inception, the gala has raised nearly $2.5 million for local lung disease research at the U of C.

Highlights this evening were numerous, including: singer Amy Bishop and her band the Hopeless Sinners; EJ Gallo wines; the hugely popular Safeway Sobeys candy buffet; the Lenny and Phyllis Shapirosponsored photo booth; auctioneer Frank Hall who was able to garner top dollars for the live auction items; and emcee, Global Calgary’s Leslie Horton.

Guests joining Perkins at the super gala included: Tourmaline Oil’s Claus Sitzler with Tracy Sitzler, Rebecca Sitzler, Austin Schmidt and Trudy King; Karen Spielman dressed as Poison Ivy; Supergirl Teri Lang; Dr. Harvey Rabin and his wife Rayna Rabin; Euro Productions’ Kathryn Kozody and Jay Arimas; Delcor Construction’s Louie Delcorno with his sons, Marco and Mario Delcorno; Chinook CrossFit general manager Oleksiy Dakhno; Willbros Canada’s Steve Beaudry and his wife Kieley and their adorable six-year-old daughter Nina who is battling CF; SNC Lavalin’s Neil MacArthur and his wife, Claire MacArthur of South by South West Wine; Safeway Sobeys Renee Hopfner and her husband Cory Hopfner of Korite International; Summit Foundation board member Dr. Nancy Brager; and Blakes’ Dan McLeod with his wife, Patricia McLeod, Calgary Co-op board chair.

BILL BROOKS The 14th Annual Super Gala for Cystic Fibrosis was a great success and raised more than $70,000 this year alone — and over $2.5 million since its inception — for cystic fibrosis research being done at the U of C, Cumming School of Medicine, Snyder...

NEIL ZELLER PHOTOGRAPHY The 14th Annual Summit Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis Super Gala was a great success raising more than $70,000 for cystic fibrosis research at the U of C, Cumming School of Medicine, Snyder Institute for Chronic Diseases. More than 300 guests attended.

NEIL ZELLER PHOTOGRAPHY The Safeway Sobeys candy bar was a popular spot for the hundreds of guests. Other activities included a live auction, a photobooth, and musical performances.

BILL BROOKS Batman and the Batmobile caused quite a stir outside the Hyatt as the Caped Crusader arrived to support the fight against cystic fibrosis. Pictured with the superhero are Karen Spielman a.k.a. Poison Ivy and Teri Lang a.k.a. Supergirl.

BILL BROOKS From left, attendees Austin Schmidt, Rebecca Sitzler, Trudy King, Tracy Sitzler and Tourmaline Oil’s Claus Sitzler as the Incredibles.

BILL BROOKS From left, Rayna Rabin, Dr. Harvey Rabin and founder of the foundation and event chair Nicki Perkins, aptly dressed as Supergirl.

BILL BROOKS SNC Lavalin’s Neil MacArthur and South by South West Wine’s Claire MacArthur in their best super attire.

NEIL ZELLER PHOTOGRAPHY Frank Hall did an admirable job as auctioneer at the Cystic Fibrosis Super Gala as more than $17,000 was raised through the live auction.