25th Anniversary Gala Recap
Held October 4, 2003
177 people gathered to celebrate the LFNC’s 25th Anniversary Gala on October 4th at the Hyatt Sainte Claire Hotel in downtown San Jose. It was indeed "A Night for Hope".

There was an earlier reception honoring our Legacy Society Members and our major donors with 42 people attending. Others in attendance included LFNC board members, guest celebrity Kellie Martin accompanied by her husband, Keith Christian, as well as Dr. David Wofsy, guest speaker, and our emcee for the evening, Jan Wahl.

The silent auction and reception were very well attended and staff overseeing the auction called the activity a "frenzied market place." All 67 items listed in the auction catalogue and displayed that evening sold and brought in $8,785.

The live auction conducted during the program was just as frenetic and fruitful thanks to Jan Wahl’s enthusiastic efforts. Jan brought one of her prized hats to auction off, which sold for $1,050. One of the bidders that did not win the hat offered to pay a similar amount if she would auction off the one she wore that evening. With hardly a second thought Jan agreed and it sold for $1,200! The live auction brought in $5,125.This was the spirit she brought to the event. Total live and silent auction activity raised $13,910.

Assembly member Sally Leiber, AD 22, attended and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the LFNC and all seven honorees on the occasion of our 25th Anniversary. Assembly member candidate AD 23, Kathy Chavez Napoli, participated in this presentation as well.

Kellie Martin shared her personal interest in lupus as her sister died of complications of this disease shortly after being diagnosed at the age of 19. Kellie is the national spokesperson for the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) that presented the LFNC with a $25,000 check for lupus research. The LFNC matched the $25,000 on this special occasion, and a total of $50,000 was forwarded to Johns Hopkins Autoimmune Disease Research Center.

Dr. David Wofsy, nationally known lupus researcher from UCSF, presented an update on lupus medical research and what he sees evolving in the near future.

Honorees were acknowledged including Jo Dewhirst as the Founder; Beta Sigma Phi statewide sorority; Pam Gross and Joyce Hulsebos co-Presidents of the Santa Barbara Sub Chapter; Cookie Bowden, past President of the Stockton Sub Chapter; Claudia Pagano, President of the Salinas/Monterey Sub Chapter; and Barbara Dangerfield, President of the San Francisco Sub Chapter.

The honorees all received certificates of appreciation from the LFNC as well as from the California State Assembly. All said a few words of acknowledgement.

The dinner and program were very well received. The evening proceeded with dance lessons by Rob & Diane of Yeahman Productions to full swing dancing to the music of Stompy Jones , formerly The Swing Session. Guests lingered, there were many hugs and introductions around the room, and all will remember a great 25th Anniversary celebration.

Special thanks to the current board and recent boards who enthusiastically supported this event. Current board members include Joyce Strand, Chairperson, Don Campodonico, Ash Pirayou, Julene Pief, Jackie Scandalios, Sheryl Hinshaw, Dr. Nikki Barry, Patty Parsell, Gil Graham and Rochele Lawson.

The Gala Planning Committee, chaired by Winny Stockwell, is to be congratulated. The preparations for this event spanned two years. Other members of the Committee were (in alphabetical order) Laura Chastain, past LFNC staff; Masumi Chastain-Blair, LFNC staff; Melanie Bleyler, Development Director; Jo Dewhirst, Executive Director; Angela Flannery; Loreen Kinney, LFNC staff; Patty Parsell, current board member; Paula Pierotti, past board member; Maria Prieto, past Board Chair; Jackie Scandalios, current board member; Joyce Strand, current board Chair; and Jennifer Weisberger. Thanks and congratulations to all for your tireless efforts to ensure the success of this event!

See the 25th Anniversary Gala Gallery