March 10, 2014

Beach Ball

: Thaxton and Sara Peterson

: Melissa Rein-Lively and Jared Lively

: Event co-chair Paula Wichterman; Steve Schnall, PCH Foundation senior vice president and development officer; and Mirav Bradshaw, event co-chair

: Dr. Denny Lund, Tami Swartz, Brian Swartz and Cyndie Spencer

: PCH patient Brett Kallmes, Jordin Sparks, PCH patient Trinity Peterson-Mayes and Trinity’s brother, Noah

: Auctioneer Letitia Frye

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The March 1 ball at the Phoenician to benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital generated $1,005,000, the largest amount it has raised since 2007. The theme for this year’s Beach Ball was Malibu. A surprise guest for the evening was American Idol winner of season six, Jordin Sparks. Sparks met with Phoenix Children’s Hospital patients and their parents in a meet and greet prior to dinner and then joined the guests for dinner with her mother. Following the program, she performed her song “Faith,” which she dedicated to the hospital’s patients fighting cancer.

The evening’s program included testimonials from patients including Trinity Peterson-Mayes who shared her story and how, to her, hope means getting better and being cancer free, because she “really, really, really hates cancer.” Trinity is battling cancer for the second time.

Trinity and her parents stayed for the after party, kicked off by DJ Lucy.

Mirav Bradshaw and Paula Wichterman co-chaired the sold-out occasion attended by nearly 1,000 guests. Proceeds will benefit the Ronald A. Matricaria Institute of Molecular Medicine, which uses groundbreaking genetic sequencing techniques to develop individualized drug therapies for children in Arizona, focusing first on high-risk cancer patients who have exhausted all other treatment options.

DARRYLEE COHEN/HAUTE PHOTOGRAPHY

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Beach Ball

The 19^th annual gala to benefit Phoenix Children’s Hospital had St. Barts – En Nuit A La Plage as its theme. The décor for the March 3 evening at the Phoenician was of the tropical ilk, a perfect backdrop for photos with the three mermaids in attendance.

Following cocktails and a silent auction, the 1,050 guests – in attire from black-tie to beach chic – enjoyed dinner in the ballroom, where tables were set with a beach theme by Angelic Grove. The island menu included jerk-rubbed beef and vegetable kabobs, chicken and grilled pineapple, coconut rice and roasted vegetables. Dessert featured caramelized mango crisp, and rum and raisin Chantilly.

The live auction brought enthusiastic bidding on items including a private dinner for eight with Larry Fitzgerald, hosted by Mark Tarbell; trips to major events such as this year’s Masters Golf Tournament, a ski vacation in Deer Valley; and Escape to Scotland – from Turnberry to St. Andrews.

Island Steel, Stephen Ashbrook and the Zippers provided the evening’s entertainment.

The Dr. Herbert J. and Julie Louis “Spirit of Hope” award was presented to pediatric surgeons Drs. Juan M. Acosta, Jae-O Bae, Michael Dimler, J. Craig Egan, Kathleen Graziano, Leigh C. McGill, Lisa E. McMahon, David M. Notrica, and Dorothy H. Rowe.

Jennifer Moser, Maja Langbein and Stacey Boltz chaired the gala, which netted close to $850,000 to support the expansion of the Phoenix Children’s Hospital Emergency Department and Level 1 Trauma Center. The Apollo Group/University of Phoenix was the presenting sponsor.

Photos by Ben Arnold Photography, Clique Photo Station and Patricia Barney

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Beach Ball

Moroccan was the flavor of the 18^th annual Beach Ball on March 5, 2011, to benefit the expansion of Phoenix Children's Hospital,which opened June 1. Guests dressed in colorful attire for the gala, which has a different beach as its theme each year.

Moroccan dancers adorned the entrance to the cocktail reception, where guests enjoyed passed hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction.

Then it was into the Phoenician ballroom, which had been transformed into a Moroccan paradise. Phoenician chefs prepared a Moroccan-themed menu of salads, hummus and pita, and Moroccan marinated beef tenderloin kabob with wild rice and fresh veggies for the 1,000 guests who gathered to support the cause. And the ultimate party photo op? A live camel.

Jill Krigsten, Mari Lederman and Lisa Shapiro were event co-chairs. The event netted $975,000 for Phoenix Children’s Hospital.