For many, Thursday October the 10th will be a day to cherish, not only for the enjoyable Gala in a beautiful setting, but also for the celebration of an individual whose 15-year dedication to Surgeons of Hope has earned deep respect and appreciation. The event also provided a poignant insight into what congenital heart disease (CHD) means for families in Latin America.
The sound of the bells from Saint Patrick’s Cathedral created a relaxing atmosphere for our reception after a long work day. It was the perfect environment for our organization’s most important event. We had the opportunity to share with our guests how Surgeons of Hope, our medical teams, and our volunteers and donors impact the lives and futures of the children we assist in the countries we serve.
An hour later, all our guests were directed to a dining room, where they sat and had a delicious dinner before the program started. Richard Duron, our co-chair, shared the results of a year of impactful missions and reminded us about the vital role we play in providing the opportunity to many children to survive and beat their disease. He stressed on the importance of training the local medical teams so they can carry on what our specialists teach them during our missions.
As a humanitarian organization, we could not overlook the emotional impact of the event when our chairman, Eduardo Da Cruz, M.D., stepped up to the podium to receive well-deserved recognition for his countless contributions. His dedication not only to Surgeons of Hope but also to inspiring many talented medical specialists has fueled the pursuit of his dream: that every child with congenital heart disease (CHD) has the same opportunities to thrive as those in developed countries.
A few minutes later, as if listening to Dr. Da Cruz wasn’t enough, our wonderful Heart Ambassador member, Nathalie Fontaine, touched our hearts by sharing her experiences from her trip to Costa Rica in September to support the mission. By that point, everyone was filled with conviction and enthusiasm to participate in our fundraising activities for the evening.
We cannot express enough gratitude for everyone who attended our 2024 Gala and for their generous contributions, which helped us reach our fundraising goal for the evening. Their kindness and compassion for our children and their families serve as a tremendous motivation, keeping us strong and focused on finding new ways to bring hope wherever we go.
