39th Annual Authors Luncheon
One of the longest running and most prestigious author events in the country celebrated its 39thyear on Nov. 3. The Arizona Women’s Board presented The Annual Friends of Erma Bombeck Authors Luncheon at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa to a sold-out ballroom of 850 guests. The event, chaired by Kathleen McClain, netted approximately $500,000 for Arizona kidney patients and their families.
The day prior to the luncheon, event emcee and author Adriana Trigiani visited the Bombeck Nephrology Unit at Phoenix Children’s Hospital to witness firsthand the critical work accomplished due to the funds raised. She visited patients along with Dr. Martin Turman, chief of nephrology; Matthew Bombeck; and numerous members of the Arizona Women’s Board and National Kidney Foundation. “Children must be on dialysis three times per week for several hours at a time, so PCH has school teachers on staff so they don’t fall behind in school. We provide complete services for the children and their families,” Turman explained.
The Authors Luncheon began with a VIP private book signing, followed by sales and signing for other guests, the luncheon, author presentations and additional book sales and signing. This year’s authors included Eva Chen, Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes; Nathaniel Philbrick, In the Hurrican’s Eye – The Genius of George Washington and the Victory at Yorktown; Paula McLain, Love and Ruin; Colonel David Hunt, Without Fear; Adriana Trigiani, Cooking with My Sisters.
PHOTOS BY COLLEEN KATZ PICTURES IN PIXELS, COURTESY ARIZONA WOMEN’S BOARD