The Pequeno Príncipe Gala exceeds the fundraising goal
The event streamed by the Pequeno Príncipe’s YouTube channel shared touching stories of overcoming, celebrating science and life
An exciting night, marked by reflections on the fight against the coronavirus, by stories of overcoming and a lot of solidarity. This is how was the edition of the “Pequeno Príncipe Gala 2021 – 10 years: celebrating science and life”, held in a virtual way on October 22nd, a special month for the institution as it is the period when the Children’s Day, the Doctor’s Day and the 102nd anniversary of the Pequeno Príncipe Hospital are celebrated. “It is a month when we are happy to celebrate and honor our history, the lives of our little patients and the medical professionals, so important for the excellence of the work we do,” emphasized the Hospital’s executive director, Ety Cristina Forte Carneiro.
The Gala 2021 has exceeded the fundraising goal, reaching more than US$ 260,000, funds which will be fully invested in the treatment of children and adolescents and in the development of the research held at the Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute. “The sophistication of our Gala is in the attentive and deep look to collective causes. We started in Curitiba, and went through São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Paris, and New York. We have multiplied the work done in our centennial trajectory. I am very happy to share with you that, by means of this project, we have already raised more than US$ 4.7 million for the assistance and research activities of the Pequeno Príncipe,” informed the director.
COVID-19’s impact on Brazilian children
At the beginning of the event, Ety Cristina touched everyone by presenting the impact of the pandemic on Brazilian children. “The pandemic has already victimized more than 600,000 people in Brazil. More than 2,200 were children under 10 years old. More than 900 were under 5 years old. The United States registered a total of 650,000 deaths, 113 of which were children up to 5 years old. These numbers indicate that Brazil lost at least seven times more children to COVID-19 than the United States. These numbers cannot remain invisible. They need to be understood, to be given a voice, and to be acted upon. Let’s remember that we are here for a purpose: to guarantee children the right to life,” she said.
Participation and honors
The Pequeno Príncipe Gala 2021 had special participations. Philanthropic supporters Daniele Giacomazzi Behring and Amalia Spinardi Thompson Motta thanked all the project’s supporters for their engagement. “The cause of children’s health is an issue that touches my heart. To each member of the benefit committee, who helps us make this event possible, thank you very much,” Amalia said.
Daniele, meanwhile, stressed the value of science in the face of the health crisis. “We must recognize that the little we are achieving on a path to normality is thanks to science. This is how we learn the value of science, research, and public health for all. Thanks to all of you for connecting to a solidary chain and for the continuous support to the cause of children’s health. This is how we humanize ourselves,” she stood out.
Another highlight of the night was the tributes. The scientific director of the Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Bonald Cavalcante de Figueiredo, was the scientific honoree. Besides him, the event also paid tribute to Sérgio Gordilho and Fernanda Valente, who for many years have supported the Pequeno Príncipe by donating their time and talent for the production of advertising pieces and films which enchant and touch everyone who has the opportunity to interact with these contents.
Gastronomy
One of the trademarks of the Pequeno Príncipe Gala is the participation of chef Claude Troisgros. Every year he invites a team of star chefs who, together, design the menu served at the in-person dinners. In this second year of the virtual event, chef Claude welcomed director Ety Cristina to his kitchen for a tasty chat about the impact of the pandemic on everyone’s lives, about the power of food to bring together and comfort in the most challenging moments, and about his relationship with the children’s health cause. “I’m thrilled already. It does me a lot of good to know that there are good people like you from Pequeno Príncipe,” said the chef.
In a video, which will be shared with the Gala participants, he teaches the step by step of a very special recipe: nori salmon with oriental rice and satay sauce. And he also invited chef Daniel Boulud to teach the preparation of another delicious dish: cauliflower and apple soup with curry, saffron, and coconut milk.
Overcoming
One of the most moving moments of the evening was the participation of the Pequeno Príncipe’s technical assistant director, Victor Horácio de Souza Costa Junior. He gave an overview of how the Pequeno Príncipe has adapted itself to assist all the children – with or without COVID-19 – who needed assistance during these almost two years of the pandemic, and also shared the story of the patient Miguel, who was hospitalized for 40 days, 17 of which in the ICU, to recover from COVID-19. To meet Miguel, click here.
Join us!
It is still time to support the Pequeno Príncipe Gala 2021. Just access here and make your donation.
If you have not had the opportunity to watch the Gala, click here. The children and adolescents assisted at the Pequeno Príncipe thank you for your generosity and engagement! Together we are transforming lives!
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