Gratitude Gala

Thank you for your support! This fundraising page has closed, but you can still contribute to their cause here!

Exactly one year ago, our family experienced what can only be described as a living nightmare.

Our 7-year-old daughter was perfectly healthy – until one morning, she wasn’t. She woke up complaining of a severe headache, and our gut told us something wasn’t right. We immediately rushed her to UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital, one of the best-rated hospitals in the country, which happens to be in my neighborhood.

It was that day we found out our daughter was diagnosed with a congenital issue.

Our brave little girl fought for her life. She was whisked away to emergency surgery, performed by Dr. Anthony Wang. Dr. Wang is one of only a handful of doctors in the United States who is trained in both pediatric and vascular neurosurgery. We were lucky enough to have him on staff and on call for us at UCLA.

As a family, we have been through hell and back.  It’s been a tough road. Her recovery has been nothing short of a miracle. None of it would have been possible without the help of UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. Dr. Wang saved her life, and we are forever grateful to him.

You never think this sort of thing will happen to you until it does. It is kind of surreal.

We vowed when she became healthy that we would give back to UCLA. That is why we are hosting Gratitude Gala, a night of fun and festivity that both celebrates her miraculous recovery, and honors the incredible team who made it happen.

100% of event proceeds will go to support UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital – both to the important work of Dr. Anthony Wang, as well as to the UCLA Child Life Program, which helps kids feel like kids while they’re in the hospital through play, music, games – all at no cost to patient families.

Will you join us? Our family has personally committed $25,000 to this meaningful cause. We are looking now to friends, family, and loved ones to share in this celebration of a miraculous recovery. Please see event and giving details below.

Even if you are unable to attend, your support would mean the world. Thank you!

Event Details: 

When: Wednesday, December 5, 2018 (7:30 p.m. –)

Where: Casita, Hollywood (1323 N. Highland Ave., LA 90028)

Details: Join us for a night of laughter, festivity, and fun at Casita in Hollywood!

Featuring exclusive musical guest, Mansour

Brought to you by renowned comedian Maz Jobrani, emcee

Special thanks to Lombardi House and Casita Hollywood for their generosity!

If you have any questions regarding your ticket and/or contribution, please contact Leigh Dierck, Associate Director, Children’s Health at 310-794-9928 or ldierck@support.ucla.edu. Ticket prices subject to change.

Please note: If you would like to make an additional 100% tax-deductible contribution apart from your ticket purchase, please return to the donation page after your ticket transaction, enter the amount you would like to contribute, and select “No Perk” from the giving menu.

Join the others who have committed their generous sponsorship! We proudly and gratefully recognize the following champions of this event:

Bobby and Rebecca Khorshidi

Houman and Ghazal Banafsheh

Dr. Eraj Basseri

Michael and Lillian Cohanzad

Kourosh and Nahal Danesh

Dr. Michael and Rebecca Feiz

Sanam and Daniel Ghiyam 

Robert and Lila Hanasab

Mansour and Sogol Jafari

Keystone National Group, LLC

Josh Mogin

Ramtin and Paula Nosrati

Raines Feldman LLP

Siamak and Yassi Vaziri

Payam and Emilly Banafshe

Michael Berookim & Mark Berookim (High Rise Financial LLC)

Dr. Beny and Nancy Charchian (The Joint and Spine Institute)

Ebby and Orly Davoud

Miss Ghazal  Doustar

Naseer and Pegah Ebrahimian

David and Shabnam Eghbali

Rodney and Tanya Emrani

Jonathan and Celine Hakakha

Cyrus and Neda Harouni

Ralph and Mehrnaz Javid

Omid Khorshidi

Dr. Arash and Sherry Lavian

Jordana Leigh

David and Sheila Mirharooni

Sam and Diba Mostadim

Tiffany and Jubin Niamehr (Akiva Niamehr, LLP)

Dr. Daniel and Candice Naysan

Dr. Elliot and Misha Nayssan

Kayvon and Goli Rouhani

David and Ghazaleh Safai

Mike and Tanaz Separzadeh

Amir and Azzy Tahernia

City of Los Angeles Permit: In compliance with the Charitable Solicitation Ordinance in the City of Los Angeles (L.A. Municipal Code Article 4, Section 44), The UCLA Foundation's permit is on file with the City of Los Angeles.

City of Beverly Hills Permit: In compliance with the Charitable Solicitation Ordinance in the City of Beverly Hills(Under Article 8, Section 4-3-801 of the Beverly Hills Municipal Code (BHMC), The UCLA Foundation's permit is on file with the City of Beverly Hills.

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