Noche de Gala

A few weeks ago David and I attended an event called Noche de Gala. It was amazing! For those of you who don’t know what Noche de Gala is .. it’s an event/fundraiser to benefit the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation. Sebastian was a little boy, only 3, when he visited Shands Hospital in need of some medication. He was accidentally given an adult dose of meds instead of a child’s dose. That simple mistake took his life. His parents, who are amazing individuals, decided that their son’s death would not get the best of them. His death would bring life to others. Out of that, the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation began with the intention to raise enough money to build a Children’s Hospital in Gainesville where something like that could never happen again.

This past July, Shands opened a newly renovated Children’s ER funded by the Foundation. It’s beautiful and a place solely dedicated to serve the children in our area! David really enjoys his time while he is working in there! At Noche this year, the Foundation donated 1.5 million dollars to renovate the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit) at Shands. It’s going to be amazing!! The Children’s Hospital is still in the building of Shands, but will in it’s own way, be a separate entity, solely dedicated to CHILDREN!

Right before this was announced at the event, they showed a video of children in the Gainesville area stating what they wanted to be when they grew up. Then, the video went to adult supporters of the Foundation as well as the founders of the Foundation who explained how this hospital would provide a way to focus on children so that they could grow up and fulfill those dreams of what they want to be one day. It was really moving and made me cherish those sweet moments with my own children so much.

It was a wonderful and beautiful event! We were so honored to be invited. David was asked to be a chair on the board of the foundation representing UF since he is a Pediatric Resident. It really is such an honor for him to be a part of this amazing cause and I’m so proud of all the hard work he put into coordinating volunteers from UF to help with the event.

This picture is a little blurry, but you can see how beautifully decorated the dinner and dancing tent was…

 

The event was held at this gorgeous horse farm. I snapped a few pictures out of the car window as we drove in…

 

We had a great time and it was nice to get all dressed up and have a night out with out the kids! I don’t think I’ve worn a fancy dress like that since prom! HA! … If you want to hear more about the Sebastian Ferrero Foundation, please go to www.sebastianferrero.org to learn more. You’ll be inspired!