First Family of Hemophilia Gala
Save One Life honored the Massie family on Thursday, May 17 at its second annual gala. About 150 guests arrived at the Commons 1854 in Topsfield, Massachusetts for a garden reception and dinner the elegant meeting room of this historic landmark building.
As guests sat down to dinner, Laurie Kelley welcomed everyone. Five-year sponsorship certificates and pins were presented to sponsors Jim and Heidi Ellard and Mark and Sasha Zatyrka by sponsorship manager Tricia Sico. Next, executive director Martha Hopewell presented the 2012 Sponsor of the Year award to Nelson Escoto and the Bleeding Disorders Resource Network (BDRN). Adriana Henderson of S.T.A.R. Children Relief accepted the 2012 Program Partner of the Year award for her collaboration with Save One Life in Romania. As a special gesture to Adriana and her dedication to organizing a summer camp for children with bleeding disorders in Romania, Laurie made an appeal to the audience, which raised the final $2,500 Adriana needed to run her 2012 camp.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of Save One Life's first Inspiration Awards to the mother-son team of Suzanne and Bob Massie. Bob was first to receive his award for his lifelong public service and advocacy for hemophilia. His list of accomplishments would exhaust an average person, let alone one with multiple chronic illnesses and frequent setbacks. Bob's newest book, A Song in the Night, a Memoir of Resilience, was just released by Doubleday this May, and copies were given as gifts to all attendees.
Bob shared a story about his childhood to highlight how his mother Suzanne kept his faith and hope alive, despite very painful circumstances. Suzanne Massie is co-author of Journey, the first book about raising a child with hemophilia. She became an expert on Russia after helping research and write Nicholas and Alexandra. She went on to write several books about Russia, still in print today. She created the Firebird Foundation to help youths with hemophilia in St. Petersburg, Russia, and inspired Laurie to found Save One Life. When Laurie worked with Suzanne at the Firebird Foundation, she saw firsthand what one woman could do to change the lives of so many in need. In a warm and gracious speech at the gala, Suzanne passionately described the various life events which drove her to accomplish so much and change the lives of so many.
Another general appeal was made to secure 25 more sponsorships to complete our Campaign 1,000! Guests came forward to sponsor a total of 38 children and youth, putting us well over our goal Thanks to all!
We are grateful to Gold sponsor Octapharma, Silver sponsor Baxter, Bronze sponsors ASD Healthcare, Grifols, Kedrion and Novo Nordisk and our many Gem sponsors, contributors to our silent auction, in-kind donors and Nan Talese of Doubleday for a successful event.
