A crowd of 330, attired in black tie and glittering masks, raised a record-breaking $350,000 on Sept. 14 at the Celebration of Global Friendships Masquerade Ball, hosted by Mission Plasticos.
The fundraiser at the Balboa Bay Resort commemorated the nonprofit’s 20th anniversary by honoring three dedicated and passionate humanitarian volunteers. The evening set the stage for the announcement of the new name, Mission Plasticos, and new tag line, Treat. Train. Transform.
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Courtesy of Mission Plasticos
An unidentified guest hiding behind her beautiful mask
Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, silent auction, gourmet dinner, live auction with eye-popping travel packages, humanitarian award presentations, patient and doctor testimonials, a 20th anniversary video retrospective, Fund-A-Need, and dancing to N’Demand to close the evening.
Gala co-chairs were Dr. Gina Kay and Pamela Harper.
“It truly was a fabulous evening as we gathered with both new and familiar friends to raise critical funds to support our cause of providing reconstructive plastic surgeries to patients in need and training medical teams in under-resourced nations,” said Susan Williamson, Mission Plasticos Executive Director. “As our 20th anniversary, it was the perfect opportunity to honor three superb humanitarian volunteers whose efforts have propelled our organization to a new level, and to introduce our new name as we move into our third decade of service.”
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(L-R) Gala co-chair Pamela Harper, Board Member Hans Keirstad, PhD, and Mission Plasticos Executive Director Susan Williamson
This year’s Global Humanitarian Honorees included:
Drs. Philippe and Isabelle Schaison: Dr. Philippe Schaison, who was named chair of the Mission Plasticos Board of Directors earlier this year, is providing leadership and innovation that is helping the organization reach new heights. Dr. Isabelle Schaison, who serves on the Mission Plasticos Medical Advisory Council, is Director of the organization’s domestic program, Reshaping Lives California, which began three years ago and provides free reconstructive surgeries to uninsured individuals of all ages in Southern California.
Rachel Russell: A registered nurse at Hoag Hospital, Rachel Russell has led the organization’s Mission Supply Team for many years, coordinating medical supplies needed for overseas missions. Russell’s tremendous role in the organization is invaluable.
Twenty years after its founding by Dr. Larry Nichter, Mission Plasticos has increased its humanitarian outreach around the globe, utilizing volunteer plastic surgeons, anesthesiologists and nurses to provide reconstructive plastic surgery, free of charge, to those in need. Corporate partners generously donate medical equipment, supplies and medications.
The majority of work is international, with volunteer surgical teams not only treating patients, but exponentially impacting villagers in under-resourced nations by teaching and training the local medical providers. Mission Plasticos was the first organization of its kind to recognize the critical importance of local training and teaching, along with onsite surgeries.
During the evening, testimonials came from both global and domestic programs. Dr. Kiran Nakarmi, a plastic surgeon from Nepal, joined Dr. Nichter in explaining the critically important burn program begun by Mission Plasticos in his country.
Another heartwarming talk was from Reshaping Lives California patient Kareen Sandoval, who shared her experience of receiving breast reconstructive surgery, at no cost, after surviving breast cancer.
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(L-R) Kareen Sandoval, testimonial speaker, and Dr. Isabelle Schaison, medical advisory board member Mission Plasticos
Key sponsors included: Dennis & Susi Gertmenian, Grace and Hope Foundation, Pacific Communications , Paul Little & Elizabeth Sandoval-Little, Nutrafol, Allergan, Bio Creative Labs, Craig Drill Capital Corporation, Matt & Caroline Eberle, Paul & Donna Herchman, In Home Care Solutions, Drs. Hans and Niki Keirstead, Sol Khazani, Med Talent Finder, Miracle Mile Advisors, Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery, RealSelf, Drs. Philippe & Isabelle Schaison, Tom & Krista Seery, ToGoRun and Sientra.