Oh, What a Night!

The Icla da Silva Foundation celebrated its annual Hope Gala this year on October 19 at Guastavino’s in New York City.

Attended by over 300 guests, the Foundation raised critical funds necessary to help us recruit bone marrow donors, and support patients suffering from leukemia and other blood diseases.

The evening reached a high point as leukemia survivor, Juan, met Shalimar, his bone marrow donor for the very first time. Shalimar tearfully told the crowd, “I’m thirty years old, I have fibromyalgia, and because of that I don’t have kids. And I remember, I always wanted to have a son, a boy, so I think God gave me the blessing to have a son in another way.” Their emotional meeting brought the crowd to their feet.

Shalimar was recruited by The Icla da Silva Foundation at a drive in Puerto Rico, and even after she moved to Florida, she kept in touch with the Foundation. When called upon to donate her marrow, she did not waiver. Her kindness is the reason Juan is alive today.

The Foundation honored Renata Garcia, a long-time supporter of the organization. Renata received the Foundation’s Philanthropy Award; she holds three separate law degrees, and is the wife of Carlos Garcia, Chief People Officer at AB-InBev, and mother to two beautiful children.

Next year the Foundation will celebrate it’s 25th Anniversary with an even more superb evening of celebration and thanks!