An Evening Beyond Imagination and the Golden Ticket to a Record-Breaking Gala!

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During an exclusive cocktail reception, guests refreshed themselves at the Fizzy Lifting Wall while mingling with influential philanthropists, corporate leaders, patient families, and our remarkable clinicians and senior leaders from Connecticut Children’s. A fantastical Wonka’s Wonder Tree allowed guests to select Golden Tickets from the tree’s branches to win prizes, including $3,000 worth of gold jewelry from Michael’s Jewelers.
 

After a 13-piece ensemble from Miss Porter’s School welcomed guests into the ballroom with a medley of Wonka songs, the formal program commenced with warm welcome remarks from Jim Shmerling, presenting sponsor David Roth, and Bob Duncan. Patient ambassador Jack shared the impact Connecticut Children’s has had on his young life. After dinner, in true Wonka fashion, each table received a bag of chocolate bars—five bars included Golden Tickets, winning the recipients gift cards delivered by Candy Kids/patient ambassadors, Brian and Collette. Fabulous packages were won by more than a dozen guests in a competitive and spirited Live Auction.

But the highlight of the evening was the record-shattering success of the Bid for Kids live appeal. An unprecedented seven 6-figure gifts supercharged the appeal to support Connecticut Children’s new Advanced Cellular & Gene Therapy Unit. Dr. Michael Isakoff, Division Head, Connecticut Children’s Center for Cancer & Blood Disorders, took the stage to share the vision for this groundbreaking new unit. A heartfelt video shared the care journey of Iliana, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia at seven months and subsequently underwent a grueling bone marrow transplant. Her story moved many in the audience to tears and brought to life the profound impact of the evening.

Imagine saving a child’s life by replacing a faulty gene with a healthy one. Or using a patient's own stem cells to treat rare in-born genetic disorders like muscular dystrophy. Or a vaccine that stops a tumor from growing or coming back.

Beyond imagination? With your support, it won’t be.

The new Advanced Cellular & Gene Therapy Unit (ACGTU) will be a hub for innovative medicine, cutting-edge research and the latest clinical trials.

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Beyond Imagination Presenting Sponsor 

South Ocean Capital Partners 

Hatful Of Dreams WiFi Sponsor

All-Waste, Inc.

Scrumdiddlyumptious Auction Sponsor

ROTHA Contracting

Surprise and Delight Sponsor

The Manafort Family Foundation

Golden Ticket Reception Sponsors

Harvest Properties Metro Realty TOMZ Corporation

Chocolate Room VIP Reception Sponsor

Liberty Bank

Everlasting Gobstopper Entertainment Sponsors

DanaherLagnese, PC | Attorneys at Law

JohnsonBrunetti | Retirement & Investment Specialists

Wonka Bar Platinum Sponsors

ARES
Barnes
F+F Mechanical
Gallagher
LaRosa Groups
LEGO
McPhee
Paramount Machine Company Inc.
Simons Real Estate Group Travelers

Fizzy Lifting Cocktail Sponsor

Tito's | Handmade Vodka

Cocoa Collateral Sponsor

Dillon | Design, Print, Mail

Oompa Loompa Gold Sponsors

Aramark
Cannon Design / DPR Construction
Hartford Business Journal
Hartford HealthCare
Interpreters and Translators, Inc.
JOPR

Gumdrop Silver Sponsors

Adams & Knight, Inc. -- Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of CT -- Arista -- AVNA INC. -- Connecticut Hospital Association -- Fiducient Advisors -- Gaffney, Bennett & Associates, Inc. -- Jefferson Radiology -- KPMG -- Lockton -- QA+M Architecture -- RT Specialty Group -- Stanley Black & Decker -- Talcott Financial Group -- USI Consulting Group

Sweet Treats Sponsor Curbside Confections

Wonka's Wonder Tree Sponsor Michael's Jewelers 

Candy Boat Transportation Sponsors Ambassador Limousine -- DATTCO 

American Sign Language Sponsor Americal School for the Deaf