Ryan House Community Breakfast
Almost 1,000 guests attended Ryan House’s 11th Annual Community Breakfast on March 29 at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort and Spa. The event celebrated Ryan House and the life and legacy of Ryan Cottor, for whom it was named.
The breakfast raised more than $330,000 that will directly support the nonprofit organization, which relies solely on community donations and cares for Arizona’s most medically fragile children and their families.
Ryan’s parents, Jonathan and Holly Cottor, shared a very special, heartfelt keynote with guests about the last few days of his life as well as the impact his life and legacy continue to have on so many others. Immediately following, Ryan’s older brother, Ethan, played guitar and sang in his honor. This was the first time the Cottors have spoken publicly since their son’s passing in December 2018.
The event also featured the first-ever Legacy Award, in honor of Ryan, which was given to each of the 15 founding board members. They are Jonathan Cottor, Diane Eckstein, Jon Ford, Dr. David Hirsch, Gerda Klein, Susan Levine, Rachel Oesterle, Dr. Susan Palmer-Hunter, Kris Scardello, Judy Schubert, Charles Scott, Judy Shannon, Faye Tait, Patty Taylor and Nancy White.
Lin Sue Cooney, Hospice of the Valley’s community engagement director, served as emcee, and Brittany Harrison was the event chair.
Ryan House is a safe and joyful place where kids can be kids and families can be families. During respite stays of up to 28 days per year, Ryan House provides everyday childhood experiences, including swimming and sleepovers, to children whose medical conditions make many of these experiences difficult and empowers children to live their best lives. As one of only three facilities of its kind in the nation, Ryan House represents a new model of care in pediatric palliative care.
PHOTOS COURTESY RYAN HOUSE
Kathie Barnes, Ginnie Schmitt, Susan Mueller and Cheryl Cummings
Karrah Weise, Marcel Martinez, Ricky Torrus, Ben Henery, Martha Horton and Mercedes Leon
Jeff Bernick, Helen Holden, Jerry Holden, Brad Cline, Andrea Cohen
Kenn Russ, Micheline Etkin and Oscar De las salas
Beth Seldin, Lisa Schillinger, Beth Katz and Amy Heims
Brittany Harrison
Elliot Wernick, Jacob Wernick, Noreen Wernick, Alex Walter, Gabby Wernick and Howard Wernick
Gabby Wernick, Alex Walter and Caroline Carter
Gail Littleton, Carol Archer, Caroline Bonacci, Lisa Mailard, Diane Norris, Olivia Klebar and Renee Linton
Gigi Elliott, Tim Gomez, Megan Gomez, Sam Ferrell, Mayda Ramos and Robert Ramos
Holly, Jonathan and Ethan Cottor
Karen Berk, Sarah Mayer, Mary Birdos, Kimberly Guimarin, Sara Westfall and Elizabeth Goldstein
