LifeBridge Health's Magic of Life Gala Cancelled Due to Public Health Concerns Related to Coronavirus
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Baltimore - March 14, 2020 LifeBridge Health today announced the cancellation of its Magic of Life Gala, the health system's biannual fundraising event, based on public health concerns related to Coronavirus (COVID-19) and based on recommendations by public health officials to limit large-scale public gatherings. The event typically attracts close to 2,000 guests and was slated to be held at The Hippodrome Theatre on Saturday, April 4, 2020. "
It is disappointing for us not to be able to host this special gathering of our closest friends and supporters, but the health and wellbeing of those we care about and our community always comes first," said Neil Meltzer, president & CEO of LifeBridge Health. "More than anything, our gala offers us a unique and fitting opportunity to thank those whose generosity has such a massive impact on the lives of the people LifeBridge Health serves each day. Our leadership and development teams are in the process of identifying other unique and fitting ways to thank those who Give Bravely, so that the LifeBridge Health can continue to Care Bravely."
"It is a great source of pride that our gala has grown over the decades to become one of the top fundraising events in Maryland," added Julie Cox, vice president and chief development officer for LifeBridge Health. "The success of the Magic of Life Gala is based on our relationships with vendors and community leaders. We are grateful for their role in our success. The $3,442,491 raised in gross proceeds will fuel our caregivers' work in taking care of our patients, employees and community at large in these extraordinary times."
Planning for the Gala has been a labor of love for the past two years by Lynn Abeshouse, LifeBridge Health development chair, and the 2020 Gala co-chairs: Marty Hill, president of Woodhaven Building & Development Inc. and Marc Cohen, vice president of Priority 1 Automotive Group. Hill and Cohen led a dedicated team of Board members and volunteers who spent countless hours on every detail of the event. LifeBridge Health would like to acknowledge their hard work thank these individuals for their time, enthusiasm and commitment: Lynn Abeshouse, Ronald Attman, Laura Black, Joseph Cooper, Ronnie Footlick, Barry Garber, Brian Gibbons, Lowell Glazer, Daniel Klein, Marcy Kolodny, Jon Levinson, Thomas Obrecht, Howard Perlow, Jerome Reichmister, M.D., Jeff Rosen, and JM Schapiro.
While The Magic of Life Gala will not be held as scheduled, the generous gifts, sponsorships and philanthropic support raised around the event will provide financial support to LifeBridge Health that is vital in today's healthcare environment and will be used as intended to strengthen hospital programs, enhance medical technologies, assist in attracting the best clinical staff and help to maintain a healing environment.
LifeBridge Health is communicating directly with sponsors and ticketholders about the change in plans, but anyone with questions or needing more information should contact LifeBridge Health Development at 410-601-4438 or giving@lifebridgehealth.org.
Special thanks to sponsors of $25,000 and above; Advanced Radiology, Alex Brown, a division of Raymond James / Barry Garber and Michele Lax, Alex Cooper Auctioneers, Inc., Baltimore Sun Media, Bank of America, Berkeley Research Group, Capitol Office Solutions, Cerner Corporation, Coca Cola Consolidated, Continental Re