Several hometown heroes, including LA Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig, were on hand at The Saban Theater in Beverly Hills on Monday, November 5, as Chai Lifeline West Coast celebrated 18 years of providing social, emotional, and financial support to children and families suffering from pediatric illness or loss at its annual Legacy of Hope Gala.
(L-R): LA Dodger Yasiel Puig; Davis Factor; Marilyn Sohacheski, Benefactor, Chai Lifeline West Coast, Sohacheski Family Center
Joining Chai Lifeline West Coast in celebrating this year’s Gala theme – Dream. Hope. Inspire. – was renowned photographer, Davis Factor, the recipient of Chai Lifeline’s Vision of Hope Award. His stunning photos – depicting the power of Chai Lifeline to transform the lives of seriously ill children by encouraging them to keep dreaming – were exhibited at the Gala.
Michelle and Udi Gannot received the Caring Hearts Award for their selfless dedication to improving the lives of Chai Lifeline children after suffering the devastating loss of their own precious three-year-old daughter, Daniella, to cancer in 2011.
The Gala also featured the launch of the Chai Lifeline Buchman Birthday Initiative. Founded by Chai Lifeline Young Leaders, Jenny and Moshe Buchman, this new program ensures that children and families living with pediatric illness do not miss out on celebrating important milestones such as birthdays while battling adversity. Hundreds of Gala attendees signed up to sponsor a Chai Lifeline child’s birthday celebration.
“The message of Chai Lifeline is the message of hope,” Chai Lifeline Chief Executive Officer Rabbi Simcha Scholar said in his address to the audience. “We are going to keep on building and helping because building and helping is what our community is all about.”
Cammy Marks, a Chai Lifeline teenage client fighting Stage 4 cancer, also spoke at the Gala, sharing her story of resilience, bravery, and hope. “The doctors are healing my body, but Chai Lifeline is nourishing my soul,” she said.
VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE LEGACY OF HOPE GALA
To learn more about Chai Lifeline’s vital support in the form of professional case management, insurance advocacy, counseling, and other types of therapeutic services for all family members at no cost, please visit www.chailifeline.org or call 1-877-CHAI LIFELINE.
