Thank you – Adelaide Gala Dinner 2017
On Saturday 12 August, we were joined by over 260 of patients, friends and UF supporters at the iconic Adelaide Oval for the 2017 Adelaide Gala Dinner. What a night!
We were again treated to the soulful tunes of the Atlantic Street Band bought to us by Music Adelaide.
By popular demand, the famous Wine Wall returned. We had a record 143 bottles of wine that sold out in thirty minutes, the last bottle of wine selling before entrée was served. Our thanks to the individuals and businesses that donated wine for the Wine Wall.
The photo booth was also back. We love hearing the laughter and joy coming from the photo booth corner and we delight in looking at images post the event. We love how silly and crazy they are, more so as the night goes on. Our thanks to Anthony at Instabooth Adelaide.
We had some amazing prizes on offer on the night, our huge thanks to all of our very generous raffle, live auction prize donors and our sponsors and supporters: Great Southern Rail, Apollo Motor Home Holidays, Newstyle Printing, The Atlantic Street Band, Music Adelaide, Lifestyle Real Estate SA, Crocmedia, The Adelaide Oval, Port Melbourne Football Club, Chook’s Little Winery Tours, Adelaide Time Watch & Clock Repair Specialists, James and Darryl Wakelin, Instabooth Adelaide, NU Skin and Bliss Events.
Special thanks also to our silent auction donors: Rick Backhouse, SOME Foods, Silk Laser Clinics, Gabel Hill B&B, Faraja Restaurant, Nangkita Ridge Wines, One Night Stand Boutique, Norwood Foodland, Cellar Door Tours, Resilient Health, Penguin Books, RDC Partners, Electrolux, ATEC, Enjo, Ashleigh Sinclair, Kym Anderson, Shahin Corp, Paul & Michelle Collins, Pat & Julie Connors, Cheryl & Will Maybury, Sonya Jericho, Paul Brattoli, Jamie Restas, Anna & Robin Batt, Belinda Miller, Kristin Gill, Poly Love Menz, The Harrison Family, Suzy Tilly, The Makery, Ian McGregor, Jemma Lambell, Irene Davidson, Pulse Power, Wella, Willow Bay Australia and Graham Forbes
These prizes make a huge contribution to the success of the night, we are thankful for these generous prize donations.
Guests were treated to a very special and moving performance by talented singer/songwriter Racheal Leahcar. We were honored to have Racheal not only attend our event but perform for us, there was not a dry eye in the house.
We thank talented auctioneer Roger Smith from Harcourt’s South Coast for working his auctioneer magic in our live auction. Our thanks to Adelaide’s much loved local Graeme Goodings for again officiating the event and keeping the audience in line and for his heartfelt delivery and passion, for that we are grateful as it is often a very difficult job!
Thanks to our friends at Bliss Events for making room the Ian McLachlan room look even more striking that it normally is.
Guests were given an update by Simone Leyden, CEO of the UF. Simone reported that the proceeds from the 2015 Gala Dinner helped provide seed funding for the CONTROL NETs clinical trial for NET Patients and funds raised from this event will go directly towards the Unicorn Foundation’s $1 million research fund, click here for more information. Simone also gave an update on the many achievements made by the Foundation since our last Gala Dinner in Adelaide in 2015.
We then heard from Nine News Adelaide Journalist and AFL legend James Wakelin. James interviewed his Mum and Dad about losing his Nanna to NET cancer. James’ parents spoke about the challenges they faced when their loving Mum and Grandmother was diagnosed with NETs. They spoke of their frustration at the lack of knowledge, awareness and general understanding of NETs in the community. Later in the evening, we heard a very emotional, heartfelt, and incredibly brave speech by Mark Bucknall. Mark spoke of his pain and heartbreak at losing his beautiful wife Brydie to NET cancer in 2016, he spoke about the genetic link to NETs with his beautiful son and how it will affect their lives in the years to come. In memory of the selfless work for the Unicorn Foundation Brydie did before her passing, as a tribute Mark announed the Brydie Bucknall award. The award is there to encourage others to be patient champions and help others as they go through their NET journey and with the hope that we can evenutally find a cure. We are so happy the inaugural award was given to the Mundell Family from Sydney. Vanessa Mundell accepted the award on behalf of her family including her mum, husband, sister in law, and parents in law, all who have gone over and above to volunteer, advocate and raise money for research. Mark’s speech reinforced why we work so hard to help and support all patients with NET cancer and the need for further research and awareness about NETs and we thank him for the beautiful award in memory of Brydie which will keep her memory alive in others.
We are so happy and excited to let you know we raised just under $30,000 all of which will go directly to our $1m research fund. We are thrilled with this outcome!
Thank you to all every everyone that attended this event, especially those that travelled far a wide. We love getting the chance to meet you all face to face. Without you, we could not do what we do. We thank you for supporting our cause and helping us achieve our ultimate goal of finding a cure for NET cancer.
Our heartfelt thanks to the amazing volunteers who made the night possible: Kathy Hatzi, Jamie Kernaghan, Marcia Mudge, Lynn Masson-Forbes, Kay Backhouse, Gemma Deane, Babs Deane, Kim Ostach, Rebel and Cherryl. These incredible ladies worked tirelessly for many months and throughout the evening to ensure the event was a huge success. Without you all, this night would have not happened, we are so grateful for your continued support, passion and selflessness. In loving memory of our beautiful Brydie.
Thank you again for your support, we hope you had as much fun as we did!
We look forward to seeing you again at our next event.
