Juvenile Diabetes Reaserch Foundation Hope Gala 2011

Juvenile Diabetes Reaserch Foundation Hope Gala 2011 | Pasha Belman Photography |

I am not very big about writing long blog posts – to me pictures speak a thousand of words. However, I could not hold my words when I was putting out this post to my blog, and here is why…The past February, I had an honor to photograph the 2011 Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Hope Gala that was held in Winston Salem, North Carolina at Benton Convention Center. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is an international organization and a leader in charitable funding for type one diabetes. Their number one priority is finding a cure that so many people all over the world are waiting for. They focus their research to benefit people at all stages of diabetes, from the newly diagnosed to those living with the disease for years, even decades. Thanks to events like this and many donations from people with big hearts the cure is going to be found and hopefully very soon.

I was very grateful to be a part of this event not only for the chance to donate my time and services for such a cause, but also for the opportunity to meet new people and learn from them. I have learned how many things we take for granted in life that diabetics can only dream about despite the major steps the science has taken in their direction. It is amazing how positive and energetic these people are, especially children. I have heard so many stories during the evening about how much of a better person diabetes had helped for many people to become. Dealing with diabetes on a daily basis has made them stronger, more disciplined, organized, and moreover to be able to control any situation. Speaking of staying positive no matter what life brings you – we have so much to learn from those diagnosed with diabetes!

The event was great! Ladies in the beautiful evening gowns accompanied by their gentlemen in black suits filled up the room where over a thousand of filet mignons and sea basses were served. Gorgeous chandelier was very hard to miss – it created warm atmosphere for this grand evening. Cliff Thompson and his beautiful wife Alejandra Thompson with the help of other wonderful volunteers designed and put together this amazing piece of art out of recycled materials, and they manage to surprise everybody every year with the new art work.

The highlighter of the evening was the speech of the gala honoree, Paul Fulton, who was honored for his significant contributions in the fight against juvenile diabetes. At the end of his speech he said : “you are my hero”, and looked and his grandson who was diagnosed with diabetes at age 7. What a challenge for a seven-year-old child! “The Hero” came up to the stage later holding a Golden Retriever puppy that was sold at the live auction that evening. A painting by Steve Childs was another highlighter of the live auction. This artist from Winston Salem, North Carolina in collaboration with six JDRF Kids from the area created this one of a kind piece of art – a magnificent abstract canvas that helped to raise $20,000.00 for JDRF. During the evening, over $1.4 million was raised to help us find the cure. With such a great support from everyone it should not be too long to find the cure.

Here are some of my photos from the event. Please enjoy and do not be shy to comment.

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