News
Review of the 15th Annual Working Toward a Day Without Pain Gala, Barbara Woodworth
October 21, 2017 – another Column of Hope (COH) success! This year’s 15th annual gala - “Working Toward a Day Without Pain” - held at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo - not only drew over 200 attendees, it generated substantial funds for research and awareness of the less well-known, but severe, medical conditions - Chiari malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM).
While folks enjoyed delicious hors d’oeuvres, gala participants took part in an eclectic basket raffle and extensive silent auction before sitting down to an elegantly presented and served sumptuous dinner. Following dinner, the highlight of the evening were remarks by Dr. John Oró of the Colorado Chiari Institute, one of the world’s leaders in Chiari and syringomyelia. Dr. Oró spoke about efforts to form a community of CM/SM physicians to share vital information generated by newly published professional papers – including six funded by Column of Hope in 2017 alone – followed by remarks by neurosurgeon, Dr. Renee Reynolds of the Buffalo medical community, who touched upon her recent association with COH. Co-founder and president of COH, Mark Kane, presented a composite overview of medical research conducted by Dr. Marcus Stoodley of Australia, the world’s preeminent researcher in the fields of Chiari & syringomyelia.
The master of ceremonies, Laura Kane Punyon, who has suffered from Chiari and syringomyelia her whole life and endured numerous surgeries, spoke about the need to continue raising funds for critical research that will hopefully work toward achieving COH’s mantra - “Working Toward a Life Without Pain.” Praising the long-term support of the Buffalo community she noted, “While it is definitely more difficult to raise awareness for lesser-known diseases, the Buffalo community has been amazing in helping to raise over $800,000.00 for on-going research over the past 15 years.
For the Tripp and Woodworth families, long supporters of COH, this year was especially noteworthy as Bruce and Laurie’s 24 year-old daughter, Jessica, was able to attend her first gala. Coming in from her home in Ottawa, she explained, “In the past I was attending classes that conflicted with the gala.” Now an engineer at a global telecom company, Jessica - diagnosed with syringomyelia several years ago - was pleased to participate in the wonderful evening she previously heard so much about by her parents and grandparents. Hoping to repeat this year’s attendance, The Tripp’s and the Woodworth’s, along with Jessica and many COH supporters and volunteers, look forward to Column of Hope’s 16th Annual Working Toward a Day Without Pain gala to be held on October 13, 2018 at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo.