Gift of Life welcomed almost 250 people to Arena in New York City for an evening of celebration in honor of World Cancer Day on February 4. This second annual Celebrating Life Young Professionals Event featured an evening of networking as well as a first-time meeting between a bone marrow transplant recipient and her donor.a

 

Albert Liniado, president and founder of the Stella Liniado Rainbow Foundation, served as master of ceremonies for the night. Liniado’s daughter Stella was diagnosed with leukemia in 2006 and sadly passed away at the age of seven. The foundation has raised awareness about the need to educate the public and increase the number of donors in the bone marrow registry so that more matches may be found for patients in need. To date, they have sponsored more than 7,000 donor kits, resulting in 261 matches and 23 transplants.

 

The featured donor of the night was Robin, who actually registered at the very first drive held for Stella. Robin was called as a match and donated bone marrow in 2014. Her recipient, four-year-old Juliette, was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder and treated at Hackensack Medical Center in New Jersey. Thanks to the transplant, she survived and made a full recovery. At the event, Juliette, surrounded by her family, met Robin, her lifesaving donor. It was an emotional moment for everyone in attendance.

 

 

“It was a truly memorable and unique evening: to not only have fun with friends but to experience an incredible moment between two special people now forever linked,” said Jared Stein, a bone marrow donor who met his recipient, Jill, at last year’s inaugural event. “Nights like this make you realize how important the work of Gift of Life is.”

 

Throughout the evening, guests were able to swab their cheeks and join the Gift of Life registry.  There was also an open bar, sushi station, photo magnets, and thirty raffle prizes up for auction, including sports memorabilia and tickets, gift certificates to restaurants and bars, as well as multiple gym memberships and spin classes.

 

The nurses and medical staff at Hackensack Medical Center who treated Juliette from the time of her diagnosis were also in attendance to support Juliette and her family. Multiple bone marrow donors and recipients attended the event, as well, and even Miss New York (Jamie Lynn Machia) was present. As a result of this night, $20,000 was raised, which will go toward saving the lives of many more children and adults out there who are in search of a donor.