United Cerebral Palsy of OC’s Life Without Limits Gala Raises $450K While Honoring Dr. Jennifer Simpson and Hoag

United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County (UCP-OC) raised an estimated $450K at their annual Life Without Limits fundraising gala on April 22 at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach. Over 310 attendees helped to honor Dr. Jennifer Simpson and Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian while raising funds for 5,639 local children and families affected by cerebral palsy, autism, Down syndrome and developmental delays. Event co-chairs were Jim Corbett, philanthropist, Kim Letch, Ernst & Young, LLP and Laura Meier, Meier Law Firm.

Guests were greeted by UCP-OC’s child ambassadors and families as they arrived at the black-tie event with a circus theme. An elegant silent auction and cocktail party was followed by dinner, live auction and awards program. UCP-OC’s CEO Deborah Levy and emcee/auctioneer Bill Nye welcomed guests into the main ballroom where the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ theme continued in the main ballroom with a dramatic silk aerialist performance. Several luxury live auction packages were auctioned and the fund-a-need raised an additional $73,900.

Dr. Jennifer Simpson received the Individual Impact Award to a standing ovation. As Professor of Ophthalmology at the Gavin Herbert Eye Institute, University of California, Irvine and a practicing pediatric ophthalmologist, Dr. Simpson has served as a member of UCP-OC’s Pediatric Medical Advisory Board since 2010 and has a longstanding collaborative relationship with the organization.

Marcy Brown, Vice President, Hoag Hospital Irvine and Ambulatory Services accepted the Community Impact Award on behalf of Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. Hoag has long supported UCP-OC as they serve families of infants who require highly specialized care through their level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Hoag’s relationship with UCP-OC ensures that NICU discharged infants and their families have access to necessary follow-up care from infancy through young adulthood.

The event concluded with dancing to the live music of The California Band and major event sponsors included David E.I. Pyott Foundation, Argyros Family Foundation, Horowitz Group and loanDepot.

For more information about the gala or UCP-OC, call 949.333.6401 or visit www.ucp-oc.org/gala.

About United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County

For more than 60 years, United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County (UCP-OC) has helped children with a wide range of disabilities to lead a Life Without Limits and achieve their full potential and inclusion into society at all levels. UCP-OC provides vital services that support more than 5,639 children and families each year to improve individual well-being from birth through early adulthood. For more information, call (949) 333-6400 or visit www.ucp-oc.org.

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