Atlantans showed their support for the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta in style on Sunday at the annual Tim Hudson and Brian McCann Celebrity-AM. The two day event, which has been held for more than 16 years, provided guests with the opportunity to golf and socialize with Atlanta Braves players, but more importantly the chance to give.
Before the sporting festivities, distinguished guests were treated to dinner, dessert and a silent auction at the City Club of Buckhead, an exclusive members only establishment. The items for the auction included sports memorabilia and vacation packages. Many of the items were donated by athletes who are passionate about helping children in need.
“We expect to raise about $225,000 this evening,” Jessica Kilgallen, Event Coordinator said. “We have a lot of Braves here Tim Hudson, Brian Snitker, Brian McCann and Greg Norton.”
The proceeds from the event benefit AFLAC Cancer Center and Blood Disorder Services. Many of the patients are children who were once healthy and suddenly found out they had cancer or a blood disorder.Isaac Del Valle was suddenly diagnosed with Leukemia three years ago and attended the event with his parents. Isaac’s mother, Linda Del Valle, stood in front of a crowded room filled with doctors, lawyers and athletes describing the painful experience.
“That night when we packed our bags to go to the hospital Isaac begged us to stay at home just one more night,” she said through tears. “But I told him from now on we are going to have to do a lot of things we don’t want to do and it’s going to be hard.”
Valle described three years of chemotherapy treatments, painful bone marrow drawings and Isaac vomiting almost every morning.
“The first night when he came back from his chemo treatment I asked him how he felt and he said ‘Fine’,” she recalled. “Little did I know that was foreshadowing how he would deal with the next three years. Even doctors would come in after he would be vomiting and ask how he was doing and he would say “I’m fine.” and then they would have to ask ‘How are you really doing?’.”
Isaac received more than 800 beads for his courage throughout the entire ordeal and on June 22, 2009 he completed his chemotherapy treatments.
“I stop and think how fortunate we are that we don’t have a sad story to tell because of people like you donating to Children’s Healthcare.”
Kim Hudson and Jaena Norton, wife of Greg Norton
That is exactly why Tim Hudson and his wife Kim decided to get involved with the organization. The couple donated several items in the auction including a stay at Kenteskaw, their spring training home, and a Disney package.
“This is something I’ve been a part of since I got traded in 2005,” Hudson said. “We felt like God was steering us in that direction and he put it on our hearts. We’re very proud to be a part of it.”
Hudson stood up to help auction off his own jersey and started a competition with teammate Brian McCann whose jersey sold at $1200. Hudson’s Disney Package went for $5500 and those were just the first three items.
“We’ve seen it grow every year,” Hudson said. “You really get to see what kind of heart people have especially during these tough times.”
For more info: For more info visit www.choa.org
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