Those four words launch families on an unimaginable journey that can lead in any number of directions. Confusion, fear, anger and hopelessness. The wide range of emotions often leaves parents adrift and unsure of where to turn.
Thanks to the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer, parents don’t have to look far for support and comfort. Since 1995, the Foundation has served as a resource to meet the emotional, financial and practical needs of families fighting to save their sons and daughters from the second-leading cause of death in children.
More than 200 Santa Clarita families currently benefit from the desperately needed tangible support offered by Foundation staff and volunteers. Whether it is money for gas or groceries, information about treatment options or simply a listening ear, the Foundation diligently works to make help, hope and healing available in a convenient and compassionate manner.
The Foundation and its 14-member Board of Directors has adopted a threefold mission: assist local children and families through outreach programs, promote awareness of childhood cancer and find better treatments and cures by funding medical research.
Supporting these priorities is an energetic fund-raising plan that is capped by the “Evening Under the Stars Gala.” This year’s installment is scheduled for September 15. More than 1,000 guests are expected at the 14th annual Gala, which begins at 6 p.m. and will again be held outdoors on the expansive lawn of the Mann Biomedical Park in Valencia.
With an extensive silent auction, and exciting live auction, the Gala serves as the Foundation’s largest fund-raiser. Since its founding in 1995 in honor of Michael Hoefflin, a 10-year-old Santa Clarita boy who lost his battle with brain cancer, the Foundation has infused medical research efforts with more than $2 million.
The highlight of each Gala is a live concert that always features a big-name entertainer, and this year is no exception. Lou Gramm, lead vocalist with the multi-platinum band Foreigner and a successful solo artist, will take the stage for a dynamic live show featuring his own hits and those that kept Foreigner at the top of the charts for so many years.
“We’re absolutely thrilled to have Lou join us for the Gala,” said Scott Schauer, executive director of the Michael Hoefflin Foundation for children’s cancer. “Every year this event gets bigger and better. Having an artist of Lou’s renown and caliber takes it to a whole new level and I know our guests will be on their feet enjoying every minute of his performance.”
Foreigner has had a string hits since their debut in the mid-1970s, including “Feels Like The First Time,” “Cold As Ice,” and “Hot Blooded,” along with “Double Vision,” “Rev on The Red Line,” “Juke Box Hero,” and “Urgent.”
Feeling the need to take his career in a different direction, Gramm later launched out on his own, scoring hits with “Midnight Blue” and “I Want to Know What Love Is.”
Sponsorships and individual tickets for “Evening Under the Stars” are available for purchase soon at the following prices: Platinum VIP Table, $3,000; Gold VIP Table, $2,000; Reserved Table, $1,200; Individual Platinum VIP Tickets, $325; Individual Gold VIP Tickets, $225; Individual Assigned Seating $150.
For additional information, or to purchase tickets to “Evening Under the Stars,” call the Michael Hoefflin Foundation at 661-250-4100.
