16th Annual Working Toward a Day Without Pain Gala Review

Oct. 13, 2018……Column of Hope pulled off another stunning gala at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo! There was a sense of excitement in the air as people lined up for raffle tickets and posed for photos. Many were enjoying a fall inspired cocktail and delicious hors d’oeuvres while perusing the diverse selection of raffle items. Kind, fun competition ensued as guests increased their bids on the plentiful silent auction items.

A first-class meal was enjoyed by all! The members of the Kane and Punyon family band treated us to a fine selection of music. Their commitment to the annual gala adds a unique touch!

During dinner we heard from Dr. Renée Reynolds, a local Buffalo neurosurgeon whose sincere dedication to Chiari malformation and syringomyelia patients could be felt around the room. She expressed gratitude for Column of Hope and all they do to support patients and research.

Dr. Marcus Stoodley, a global leader in Chiari and syringomyelia research, provided an interesting and hope inspired talk! Confirming that 23 peer reviewed articles have been published, through his collaboration with Column of Hope, contributes greatly to the overall goal of “working toward a day without pain.” There was a feeling of pride among those attending, as many have been supporting Column of Hope since the 1st gala 16 years ago. Thank you, Dr. Stoodley, for showing us what animals your kids play with!

Brooke delivered a heartfelt and inspiring account of her experience with Chiari, sharing her tremendous gratitude for Mark, Barbara and those who are a part of Column of Hope. She exudes kindness and strength and has gone on to have an exciting life, travelling and living in different parts of the world.

Laura Kane-Punyon continues to do a flawless job in her role as master of ceremonies. She expressed her deep gratitude for what has been achieved to date and the importance of continuing to donate. It is imperative to keep the momentum going with Dr. Stoodley’s research, as this will translate into better front-line care for all patients.

Susan and Shaun Carleton, volunteers from an organization in Toronto that supports patients with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, who often also have Chiari, attended the gala for the first time. Susan said there were so many things that impressed her about the gala, not to mention how hard it is to keep a volunteer charity thriving. Column of Hope is doing something remarkable, dedicating 100% of the net proceeds of the annual gala to research, which is manifesting itself into published articles and will ultimately change patient care! We all owe you a debt of gratitude! We enjoyed interacting with others impacted by Chiari at this authentic event and left Buffalo feeling a renewed sense of energy in our own Canadian advocacy efforts.

Column of Hope sincerely thanks everyone who contributed to the success of the 2018 gala! Mark your calendars, next year’s date is October 26, 2019. Help us make 2019 even bigger and better!

See gala photos, taken by Ria Tafani, at https://www.riatafaniphoto.com/Clients/Gallery2011/Column-of-Hope/Gala-2018/

Please save the date for the morning of Saturday, June 29, 2019 for a patient and caregiver seminar. This will be held following the World Medical & Scientific Chiari, Syringomyelia and EDS Conference in Buffalo, NY.

Susan Carleton