Lending her voice, again
Woonsocket singer helps Heroes Ball raise $970,285 for Hasbro Children’s Hospital
PROVIDENCE — On Saturday, March 3, Hasbro Children’s Hospital welcomed more than 700 guests to the Rhode Island Convention Center for its annual Heroes Ball. The signature event raised $970,285 in support of patient care, life-saving programs, research, education and the evening’s fund-a-need focus – the transformation of the hospital’s outdoor healing garden and play areas.
The Heroes Ball was chaired for the second consecutive year by Robert Vincent, Executive Vice President of Administrative Services and External Relations for IGT and his wife, Grace. Guests were welcomed into the ballroom by Lawrence A. Aubin, Sr., Chairman of the Lifespan Board of Directors and the Rhode Island Hospital Board of Trustees, who shined a spotlight on all the heroes in the room that night before introducing Woonsocket native and former contestant on NBC’s The Voice, Emily Luther, who sang a moving rendition of Rachel Platten’s song, Stand by You.
Margaret M. Van Bree, MHA, DrPH, President of Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital, addressed guests next.
“On so many levels, our hospital is more central to our region than ever – both within our walls and out in the community – and much of that is driven by the generosity of our donors. You have my deepest gratitude for all you make possible for our hospital, and for our patients and their families.”
During her remarks, Dr. Van Bree was joined on stage by 8-year-old Grace Gallonio, a patient of Hasbro Children’s Hospital who is now more than seven years cancer-free after being treated for a sacrococcygeal teratoma tumor shortly after her first birthday. As guest emcee, Grace lit up the room with her wide smile and enthusiasm while speaking to the large crowd.
Following Dr. Van Bree’s introduction of a video that captured what transforming the hospital’s outdoor space would mean to patients and families, she welcomed her second special guest to the podium, 8-year-old Talon Hobbs. At the age of four, Talon was treated at Hasbro Children’s for a Wilm’s tumor. He recalled for the audience how difficult it was to spend all of his time inside while missing the fresh air and sunshine.
The evening’s auctioneer, Jimmy Tingle, presented the event’s live auc- tion and fund-a-need blitz in support of the hospital’s healing garden. Among the auction items inspiring friendly bidding wars were a two night stay in New York City with four tickets to see Bruce Spingsteen’s sold-out show on Broadway; a one-week stay for four in Tuscany, Italy with private driver, cooking classes and vineyard tours; and a Boston Red Sox luxury suite package for 20 to see the home team play the New York Yankees at Fenway Park in August.
“The outpouring of generosity by all of you in this room tonight has made possible another life-changing dimension in healing for our patients and their families,” said Phyllis A. Dennery, MD, Pediatrician-in-Chief of Hasbro Children’s Hospital as she announced the results of the auction and fund-a-need. “Nature truly is good medicine, and we cannot thank our donors enough for the incredible support that extends beyond the walls of our hospital,” added Francois I. Luks, MD, PhD, Hasbro Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Surgeon- inChief.
After celebrating the night’s fundraising success, guests danced to the sounds of Sugarbabies, Inc., including a special performance of Soul Man, with members of hospital leadership jamming with the band.
The 2018 Heroes Ball was made possible thanks to presenting sponsors CVS Health and IGT; gold sponsors ALEX AND ANI Charity by Design, APG Security, H. Carr & Sons, Inc., The Procaccianti Group, Swarovski, Tufts Health Plan, and dozens of other sponsors who contributed to the event’s success.