Stars out for Lending Hearts Gala
Towering over everyone and always smiling, Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward was surrounded by fans as he entered the ballroom with his wife, Allie, at Fairmont Pittsburgh for the 11th annual Lending Hearts Gala.
He was honored with the Lending Hearts Friend Award during the Thursday night event.
The VIP reception gave guests a chance to chat with Heyward as well as get a first look at the silent auction and wine pull.
“This is our major fundraiser and we selected Cam to be honored because of all he does for the city of Pittsburgh, including the work he does with children and raising awareness about cancer,” explained founder and executive director Vasso Paliouras.
“Being honored in Pittsburgh is always huge and being associated with Lending Hearts is unbelievable,” said Heyward. “They stand for such good things by providing a community for not only little kids with cancer. I am humbled.”
Lending Hearts supports children and young adults with cancer and their families.
“Young adult actually goes up to the age of 39, which most people don’t know,” Paliouras said. “We are all encompassing, including the entire family.”
Event chair Mary Jo Capozzoli, who was an oncology nurse, became involved with the organization through a friend.
“I think it is so important to support the children going through a cancer diagnosis, including the whole family,” she said. “It is so emotional and Lending Hearts gives them an opportunity to be with people going through similar things.”
Twelve-year-old Leo Zambori was diagnosed with leukemia at 5 years old and his parents, Natalie and Chad, talked about the positive impact Lending Hearts has on them.
“Parents room in at Children’s [Hospital] so you stay with your child,” she said.
“I remember I never left his room and one time they said, ‘There is food out there, please get some.’ That was just the first of many things they did. His treatment was 3½ years.”
“Leo got to throw out the first pitch at a Pirates game,” added his father.
“They invite us to do so many things and include the whole family,” said his mother.
Among the 250 supporters enjoying dinner and entertainment by singer/songwriter Justin Fabus were honorary chair Dr. Stanley Marks with Nikol, Larry Richert, Dr. Bob Ferris, Lesley Mann, Jennifer Stockdale, Dr. Jim Betler with Janis, Charlie and Terese LaVallee, Carley Taslov, Donna DeMauro, Danielle Kruczek, Alexa Xenakis Becherer, emcee Bob Pompeani and Dr. Charles and Stacey Simkovich.