EVENT
Gift of Life Gala
GIFT OF LIFE GALA
Benefiting the National Kidney Foundation of West Tennessee
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Maria and Dr. Julio Ruiz
Bill and Teresa Bullock
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ale pink recess lighting in the Peabody Hotel’s Skyway room cast a sunset-like glow on guests who attended the Gift of Life Gala benefiting the National Kidney Foundation of West Tennessee. During the cocktail hour, while mixing and mingling, attendees browsed silent auction items that included many varieties of wine and other items for entertaining. Servers passed through the crowd with silver trays offering spanakopita and skewered chicken. After taking their seats, guests enjoyed dinner that began with a mixed green salad with citrus cilantro vinaigrette dressing and topped with tortilla strips. The entrée consisted of baked salmon and spinach-stuffed chicken breasts served with grilled asparagus and fluffy saffron rice. The event celebrated the lives of donors and recipients of kidney transplants, like Price Bullock, who received a kidney transplant at age 5, and received a second transplant in May. His parents, Bill and Teresa, who have long been involved with the National Kidney Foundation, attended the affair, as did Alyce and Tom Price and Karen and Adam Hamburger. As the program got underway, Lorrie Ridder, president of the board of directors, made welcoming comments and introduced Susan O. Smith, the event chair. Dr. Jacinto Hernandez was presented with the 2014 Gift of Life Award. A heartwarming video presentation about Hernandez depicted not only his dedication to patients, but also showed his deep commitment to his family and love of music. Hernandez’s wife, Dominga, narrated the video. Dr. Hernandez expressed his love and devotion for his wife as soon as he took the podium. He spoke about the ways his patients had enriched his life. “I am accepting this in honor of those for whom I work, my patients,” he said. “From them, I have learned what I need to know to help others because they are people who are living to see the lives of their families.” Originally from Spain, Hernandez practices medicine at MidSouth Nephrology Consultant and treats patients at 11 outpatient clinics in the Mid-South, as well as three in Arkansas and Mississippi. Monsignor Valentine N. Handwerker III who donated a kidney to one of his parishioners, Ed Garavelli in 2011, was also honored. Following the program, members of the band Al Paris & the Heartbreakers, dressed in white, took the stage. Dancers headed to the floor and those who remained in their seats enjoyed the band’s lively performance.
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