
The Casino Royale Gala is the 8th Annual event benefiting the Chelsea Hutchison Foundation (CHF), a non-profit supporting individuals and families living with epilepsy, a neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions.
The annual fundraiser was held Saturday, April 22 at the The Marriott Denver South in Lone Tree with emcee Deb Sheppard welcoming guests to the program followed by live auctioneer, Adam Kevil, and comments from Executive Director/Founder Julie Hutchison and board member Toni New. Speaker Jennifer Pressey thanked guests for their support and described how the organization guided and helped she and her husband cope directly with epilepsy in their family.
CHF is named after Chelsea Hutchison, who passed away April 19, 2009, at the age of 16 after suffering an epileptic seizure. Parents Julie and Doug Hutchison founded the organization to raise awareness of SUDEP (Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy) and use it to provide comfort and hope to individuals and families living with epilepsy. The organization helps provide monitoring devices to kids living with epilepsy and also funds response dogs which provide vital support such as calling for help, bringing emergency medication to the patient & bracing a fall.
Special thanks went to the gala committee: Lindsay Armstrong, Ashlee Baldwin, Stacie Bowman, Sam Dudley, Shellie Jacobucci; and to event volunteers: Doreen Christian, Kathy Erdman, Sara Foster, Michelle Gorbatjuk, Paula Padavic, Michelle Smith, and Mary Stone.
An estimated 3 million Americans and 65 million people worldwide currently live with epilepsy. It is estimated that up to 50,000 deaths occur annually in the U.S. from prolonged seizures, Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), and other seizure-related causes such as drowning and other accidents.
To volunteer, make a donation or support CHF please visit http://www.chelseahutchisonfoundation.org or by email: chelseaslegacy@aol.com
- Casino Royale was theme of the 2017 Chelsea Hutchison Foundation
- An estimated 3 million Americans live with epilepsy
- The foundation exists in memory of Chelsea who died in her sleep due to epilepsy
- A colorful bike was among the silent auction items
- Megan Martin and Paula Padavic
- Foundation Founders Julie and Doug Hutchison
- Julie Hutchison, Jeanie and Ed Hardey, Doug Hutchison
- Julie Hutchison and Jeanie Hardey
- Jeanie and Ed Hardey
- Alyssa Youmans and Milo
- Shane Crawford, Taylor Liprando, Grace Park
- Special thanks to the Denver Marriott South Park Meadows for hosting this event
- The silent auction was a success
- Noel Rivero with her dog SJ and Auctioneer Adam Kevil
- Deb Sheppard, Allison Thoms, Adam Kevil
- Emcee Deb Sheppard and Auctioneer Adam Kevil
- The silent auction attracted many bidders
- Rochelle Logan, Jordan Ash, Carol Strelau, Barb Gojan
- Jeanie Hardey, Dell Wyatt, Aubrey Kennan
- Silent auction: Everything from Prince to Star Wars!
- Daphne Lucchesi, Chelsea Davis, Stacey and Chris Warden
- Michelle Gorbatjuk, Mrs Denver Michelle Smith, Megan Martin
- Naomi Hutchison gives a Thumbs Up for the event
- The Foundation has helped hundreds of individuals and families
- Sarah Spradlin, Steven and Jennifer Pressey
- Foundation ringleaders Greg and Toni New
- Renee and Rachel Nickell
- Toni New, Julie Hutchison, Roger Nickell, Maria and Mark Hammerbeck
- Melodie Jamali, Corolla Hibbard, Rob and Sandy GoldnWolf, Mike Jamali
- Books on Epilepsy Awareness Day
- The Foundation has helped hundreds in working and living with epilepsy
- Director Julie Hutchison welcomes the crowd
- Board member Toni New thanks sponsors and supporters
- Jennifer Pressey thanks the Foundation for helping her family
- Emcee Deb Sheppard
- Auctioneer Adam Kevil quickly describes the evenings live auction items
- …Ready to bid!…
- Mrs. Denver Michelle Smith assists with the live bidding
- Doug Hutchison bids on an item