Sept. 28, 2016

Black & Purple Gala Nets $60K

Left, guest speaker Paul Babbitt; his sister Marney Babbitt; his mother, Mary Kuzell-Babbitt; and his father, Paul Babbitt. Lower right, Suzanne Matsumori, executive director Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona, and Min Skivington, program manager

The Sept. 17 Black & Purple Gala to benefit the Epilepsy Foundation of Arizona drew 230 guests to the Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale for an evening of fun and celebration. The event netted $60,000 to support programs throughout Arizona, including camp for children with epilepsy, support groups, information and referrals, telephonic support, and pediatric and adult conferences.

The evening’s honorees included Dr. Steve Chung of Banner University Medical Center Phoenix, with the Commitment to Epilepsy Award, and Mary Macleish, who received the Extraordinary Service Award. Paul Babbitt was the guest speaker.

The band Jumping Cholla & The Naked Horns provided the entertainment. Laurie Bieller chaired the event.

PHOTOS BY DERRICK JONES-NELSON