Westport-Based 'Rach's Hope' PJ Gala Set For Feb. 29

From Rach's Hope:

February 26 2020

A local Westport family is turning their tragedy into hope as their new non-profit, “Rach’s Hope” hosts the second annual PJ Gala on Saturday, February 29th at Penfield Pavilion at 7:30pm.

Rach’s Hope was established by Lisa, Alan, and Ellie Doran to help other families with children who are battling a critical illness. The Doran’s lost their daughter and sister, Rachel, a 2015 Staples High School graduate and rising senior at Cornell University, in 2018 after a month- long battle with Steven’s Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis Syndrome (TENS), rare reactions to common medications.

“Our family was fortunate to have had help from our family and friends when Rachel was in the Intensive Care Unit. We want to be a part of that village of support for other families because no one should go through this alone,” says Alan Doran.

The Second Annual event is an extension of that support, as the non-profit provides essential assistance to families with critically ill children. All proceeds from the February 29th event directly benefit families providing food, transportation and hotel accommodations so they can focus on their loved ones. To date, Rach’s Hope has helped countless families in Connecticut and New York by providing them with love, strength and hope.

The event is also a celebration of community with generous sponsorships from Greens Farms Spirit Shop, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Two Roads Brewery, W Hair and Color, Le Rouge Artisan Chocolates, and the Abrams Group. . Fairfield’s rock band Ellis Island will perform throughout the night and photos will be taken by Venture Photography.

Last year’s playful event had 100% participation of attendees wearing PJ attire. Once again, attendees are encouraged to sport their most comfortable pajama bottoms to the event as an ode to Rachel’s childhood business, Rachel’s Rags, where she designed and sewed her own fleece pajama pants.

Lisa Doran added, “The PJ Gala is inspired by our daughter who was passionate about good food, great music, fashion, family and friends. It’s a celebration of her impact on those who knew her and of our caring community.”

Supporters can purchase tickets or donate to Rach’s Hope by going to https://www.rachshope2020.org/. Tickets will not be sold at the door. To learn more about Rach’s Hope, follow them on Facebook and Instagram. Rach's Hope, Inc. is a Connecticut nonprofit corporation in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status.

This press release was produced by the Rach's Hope The views expressed here are the author’s own.