Singer Nikki Yanofsky, right, is the headliner at this year’s All That Glitters Gala, in support of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada.
As well, some talented up-and-comers are also featured at the event, called A GLEEful Gala. More than 1,000 guests are expected to attend the fundraiser to be held in May at Exhibition Place in Toronto.
Ronda Taylor has been a volunteer and fundraiser for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada (CCFC) since her daughter, Jessica, was diagnosed with Crohn’s colitis eight years ago. This year, Taylor has taken on the position of chair for the event.
“Research has shown evidence of a genetic predisposition to chronic IBD [inflammatory bowel disease] among Jews of eastern European descent. After seeing first-hand how very debilitating these illnesses can be, I decided it was my time to help,” she said.
The CCFC will fund more than $5 million worth of research this year, but the organization still had to turn down at least 11 applications. “We are committed as a foundation and committee not to stop raising the necessary funds for these illnesses until there is a cure,” Taylor said.
Over the past 15 years, the All That Glitters’ Toronto chapter has raised over $8 million, she said. “The gala is an important tool in raising awareness for these debilitating illnesses. By educating Canadians about IBD, we can lift the veil of silence that often surrounds Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.”
Issues such as the lack of awareness of IBD as a chronic disease, social stigma and the lack of equitable access to expensive IBD medications are prime focuses in the CCFC’s national and international awareness campaigns, Taylor said.
In the past 18 months, Taylor witnessed the horrors of Crohn’s disease, with the death of her aunt, Gail Fein-Simcoe, from complications of her illness. One of the committee’s most dedicated fundraisers and volunteers, Mimi Greenspoon, also suffered the tragic loss of her son, Lee Greenspoon.
“We have an amazing executive and general committee that work tirelessly for our successes,” Taylor said. “We are thrilled with the response to our event this year. We anticipate having the best All That Glitters’ Gala to date and raise the much-needed funds so no one has to know the horrors of losing a child or a loved one.”
The CCFC was founded in 1974 by a group of parents whose children were diagnosed with IBD. They were concerned about the lack of funding for IBD research, and they were interested in learning more about Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
CCFC has grown to become a world leader in IBD research funding. Through the support of sponsors and donors, CCFC funds research projects that probe the mysteries of IBD. Life-altering treatments have been developed as a result of these discoveries.
Tickets for the May 4 gala are $500 each and can be purchased at www.allthatglittersgala.com. Cocktails begin at 6:30 and dinner follows at 7:30. Information about donations and sponsorship can also be found on the website.
