“Once You Choose Hope, Anything is Possible” as Hope Biosciences Research Foundation Raised $1 Million at Inaugural Gala

“Once You Choose Hope, Anything is Possible” as Hope Biosciences Research Foundation Raised $1 Million at Inaugural Gala

Actor Christopher Reeve was credited with saying, “Once You Choose Hope, Anything is Possible.” This quote permeated all facets of the Hope Biosciences Research Foundation (HBRF) Inaugural Gala held at Post Oak at Uptown Houston, where an extraordinary $1 million was raised! These funds will support ongoing research and FDA-authorized clinical trials in regenerative technologies, including adult stem cell therapy. HBRF focuses on areas commonly considered “incurable,” such as Parkinson’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, Spinal Cord injury and more.

Co-chairs Jessica Rossman and Gordon Bethune (an HBRF patient), co-founders Donna and Daniel Chang and Host Committee Chairs Donae and Rob Chramosta, daughter Bella (an HBRF patient) and 400 guests were thrilled with the proceeds and support garnered from this first-time event. Auction chair Cathy Jackson (an HBRF patient) created an incredible silent auction complete with health and beauty experiences, sports memorabilia, theater tickets and opportunities to bank stem cells for a lifetime, travel experiences and a high-end wine pull comprising over 60 exquisite and prized wines.

Sharing their stories of personal experiences at HBRF with patients were podcasters Sherry Diers, RN and David Gonzales, RN. As patients with stories to share were the Vyas family, whose young teenage son Neel suffered with as many as a dozen Grand Mal seizures a year for years. After stem cell therapy, he has lived seizure-free for more than 30 days. Cathy Jackson, mentioned earlier, became a clinical research participant for lupus. Her protocol became the subject of HBRF’s first peer-reviewed publication and she announced a new partnership between the foundation and the Lupus Foundation Texas Gulf Coast Chapter. Bella Chramosta, one of the Host Committee Co-chairs and a local high school senior, took the stage to reveal stem cell therapy’s impact on her daily life. Bella also introduced Kingwood High School students Ema Suljkanovic, Rachel Phillips and Alayna Nuñez, who raised $1,400 personally to support the charity’s efforts. Local hometown hero Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale presented them with the award.

Auctioneer Tim Dietz with Johnny Bravo Entertainment launched an audience challenge to match the money the young students had raised. The crowd responded with over $50,000. This was followed by two anonymous gifts of $250,000 and $150,000. Dietz and his gavel were banging away several times, and items up for live auction were Taft McWhorter’s Texas Flag painting (sold three times); a trip to Tuscany complete with cooking classes, guided tours, wine tastings and more (sold three times); Puerto Vallarta VIP Luxury Getaway with a seven-night stay, a Tootsies shopping spree and a private plane trip; a Texans VIP experience including sideline passes; and two United Polaris Business Class tickets and Vintage Contessa & Times Past donated Rolex Datejust 36mm.

Near the gala’s end, a Markle Jewelers raffle of a sterling silver necklace and a 2.27-carat diamond was held. HBRF clinical trial patient Faith Hartlage and her husband Jon delighted the crowd with their musical rendition of “The Prayer.” Upon leaving, all attendees received a parting gift of Wondercell Gel, a powerful stem cell byproduct that combats the signs of aging. All guests agreed, “Hope Reigned Supreme” at this inaugural gala, where sharing was the word of the night!

In the Social Scene (not previously mentioned): Dick and Ginger Hite, Omar and Maria Moncada-Alaoui, Roslyn Bazzelle Mitchell and Derrick Mitchell, Cheryl Byington, Jan Duncan, Nene Foxhall, Mandy Kao, Stacey Lindseth, Linda and Jim McIngvale, Christian Miranda, Beth Muecke, Patti Murphy, Rachel and Tom Regan, Dallas Rowdan, Natalie Wall, Miya Shay, Christina Zhou, Chau Nguyen and Jay Sears, Tama Lundquist and Dr. Peter Farrell, Stephanie and Gary Loveless, Azeemeh Zaheer and Chris Perry