A Triumphant Return

from Nfocus November 2022

Be Our Guest

Gilda’s Club brings their Red Door Bash back to an in-person event

Excitement and community came together at the Gilda’s Club Red Door Bash at the Omni Hotel Nashville. After two years of virtual events, friends and members of Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee were able to visit in person. It was an emotional evening as many hugs and handshakes were exchanged as guests greeted each other, many for the first time since the pandemic. I attended the event in my official capacity for Nfocus magazine, as well as a board member of the nonprofit.

Co-chairs Erica Jacobs and Gretchen Goldstein orchestrated a beautiful return. Outside of the Broadway Ballroom, the space was filled with exciting silent auction items and the bidding was fierce. Guests worked hard to help raise funds for Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, whose mission is to “ensure all people impacted by cancer are empowered by knowledge, strengthened by action, and sustained by community.” During the reception, guests also enjoyed not one, but two photo stations to capture memories of the evening.

After the reception of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, guests made their way into the ballroom where they enjoyed nourishment of the body and soul. The opening to Gilda’s Club events almost always begins with a member moment — an opportunity for a Gilda’s Club member to tell the story of their cancer journey and describe the support they received through Gilda’s Club. This moment brings the full force of what Gilda’s Club does for the community into sharp relief and reminds guests of the reason for the evening. “The 2022 Red Door Bash Committee of 14 amazing event planners delivered a recordbreaking event and auction. Gilda’s Club is grateful for the support of our sponsors, healthcare partners and donors who ensure we can provide cancer support at no charge to anyone impacted by cancer,” said Harriet Schiften, president and CEO of Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee.

During the evening, musical guests Timothy James Bowen and Brandon Robert Young both performed original music. Timothy’s sister experienced cancer and he wrote a beautiful song to honor her. The event was sold out and raised record numbers for the organization.