The Sheraton Denver Downtown was the venue for the Sept 14, 2019 Rocky Mountain Multiple Sclerosis Center Annual Gala featuring live music, dancing, comedy and casino gaming.
MS Center CEO Gina Hensrud with 2019 Gala Emcee Ed Greene
More than 400 guests gathered to celebrate RMMSC’s mission: Improving the quality of life for individuals and their families living with MS and related neurological diseases through care, support, education and research. Emcee Ed Greene and CEO Gina Hensrud welcomed guests and thanked sponsors in a full event that featured a live auction from Gary Corbett, music by the Dave Camp Jazz Band, laughs provided by comedian Spencer James, and after-dinner casino gaming.
Multiple Sclerosis is a progressive and unpredictable disease of the central nervous system that disrupts communication between the brain and other parts of the body.
This year’s Event Committee featured several leadership roles from Gala Chair, Claudia Miller; Sponsorship Chair, Simon Kafati; and Auction Co-Chairs Eliz Padilla and Sheri Rotolo.
Key sponsorship support came from corporations, medical industries and community organizations. The 2019 Presenting Sponsor was Denver Life Magazine. Platinum Sponsors: Biogen, Genentech, PSAV, and the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel. Bronze Sponsors: Anton Collins Mitchell, The Clinic Colorado, David and Shannon Geonetta, EI Pomar, JPMorgan Chase, Key Bank, Marathon Petroleum, Dennis and Susan McDonnell, Jim and Claudia Miller, MoXXy Women, the Persichitte Family, Brian and Erica Petrelli, Arwin Priest, the Schlosser family, Rocky Mountain MS Center at University of Colorado, Turnaround Management Association Rocky Mountain, Way Out West Realty, Wes and Kay Lynn West.
2019 MS Gala Chair Claudia Miller thanked sponsors and guests
The downtown premier annual event supports the 41-year-old RMMSC– Colorado’s largest center dedicated to comprehensive multiple sclerosis care, support, education and research.
Among the symptoms of MS include blurred or double vision; tingling, numbness or pain; extreme fatigue; loss of bladder control; memory problems; lack of concentration; and difficulty walking. Fortunately, since MS was first recognized as a neurological disease by “Father of Neurology” Jean-Martin Charcot in 1868 many medications and breakthroughs have been made to alleviate symptoms to help people with MS live healthy, productive lives.
MS Center supporters Jan Hammond and Louise Richardson
Thanks to generous community support, the Rocky Mountain MS Center has created a world-leading model for treating patients and families living with MS.
For more information, please visit: www.mscenter.org
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- The 2019 MS Gala attracted more than 400 guests
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- The MS Center Gala was held at the Sheraton Downtown Denver
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- MS Center Board Chair David Geonetta, wife Shannon, and Brooke Valdez
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- MS Center CEO Gina Hensrud with Board Member Pam Sletten
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- Terri Fisher, Board Development Chair Pam Sletten
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- 2019 Gala Chair Claudia Miller with husband, Jim
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- Elena and Mike Katz; Chad and Lindsay Schneider
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- Who can pass up dessert? Velvet milk chocolate mousse dome, coffee chocolate sauce, whipped dark chocolate grenache, crunchy clusters with fresh blackberries
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- Jules Ketti, Derek Sevier, Vanessa Clarke
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- Shannon Geonetta, Paul and Leslie Leftis
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- Sebastian Roesinger, Amber Ortega
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- Thanks to corporate support the MS Gala remains among the most popular fundraisers in town
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- The annual Silent Auction is always a popular event
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- Guests bid all night on various silent auction items
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- MS Center Board Secretary Erica Tarpey, Kathy Lange
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- Ruth and Ramon Oceguera
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- Barb Ritchie, Trish Morris of the Courageous Foundation
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- Andrea Colucci, Kayla White, Michelle King
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- MS Center CEO Gina Hensrud with long-time Denver TV veteran and MC Ed Greene
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- MS Center CEO Gina Hensrud, Emcee Ed Greene
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- Kari Palmer, Jeff Wren
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- Tiffany Arguello, Christine Arguello
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- Silent auction items represented a wide variety of keepsake gifts
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- Dulce Warren, Tami Skinner
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- Deciding what to bid on sometimes is a challenge
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- Al and Terri Fisher
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- Ed Novak and wife, Gayle Novak, reigning Miss Senior America 2019
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- Ed Novak and wife, Gayle Novak, reigning Miss Senior America 2019
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- Miss Senior America Gayle Novak, CEO Gina Hensrud
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- Andrew and Karinna Abrams, Tori Kornhaas
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- MS Center organizers thanked PSAV Global Event Production Company
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- Long-time generous supporters of the MS Center rarely miss a fundraiser
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- Now entering its 41st year, the MS Center provided a historic timeline of four decades
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- Sarah Cassida, Jessica Walsh
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- Carl and Sally Lansing
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- MS Center Staffers Kelsey Lantz, Michele Harrison
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- Emcee Ed Greene led the proceedings
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- MS Center CEO Gina Hensrud thanks guests and all supporters
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- MS Center CEO Gina Hensrud welcomes guest to the 2019 event
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- MS Center Board Chair David Geonetta reviewed recent achievements
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- 2019 MS Gala Chair Claudia Miller thanked sponsors and guests
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- 2019 MS Gala Chair Claudia Miller described her own family challenges with MS
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- The Dave Camp Jazz Band entertained guests all evening
