Oct. 9 Fundraiser Benefiting Gilda’s Club Will Shine Light on Program Facilitators Who Made Cancer Support Possible Despite Pandemic
NASHVILLE, TENN. – August 18, 2021 – Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee will host its biggest fundraiser of the year, the 2021 Red Door Bash, on Oct. 9 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. The annual event will celebrate another year of free cancer support for individuals and families in 15 Middle Tennessee counties, as well as honor a group of community leaders and talented professionals for their extraordinary impact. This year’s award-winning Red Door Bash will feature singer/songwriters Jenny Tolman and Dave Brainard, along with celebrity guest host Demetria Kalodimos.
“This year, we have the distinct pleasure of honoring some incredibly special contributors to the Gilda’s Club community. We will present our annual Red Door Champion Award to a Williamson County couple that has supported our non-profit through volunteerism, financial giving and advocacy for nearly two decades,” said Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee President and CEO Harriet Schiftan, MSW, MAJCS.
“We’re also seizing this opportunity to celebrate 13 of our dedicated support group facilitators, all of whom have continued to put our mission and members first, and graciously joined us as we boldly stepped into the world of virtual cancer support at the beginning of the pandemic.” Schiftan added. “These amazing people never missed a beat, even as they faced their own personal, COVID-related challenges. The greater Middle Tennessee community is better for their heroic efforts.”
Those being honored at the Red Door Bash include:
Red Door Champion Award recipients: Brian and Victoria Marger
Red Door Hero Award recipients:
• David Adcock, PT
• Deanna Candeloro, M. Ed, LPC-MHSP
• Dana Davis, LCSW
• Lynn Dunavant, MA, HSP
• Pamela Duvall, MS, CCC-SLP
• Larae Heil, M Ed., MS, CCC-SLP
• Cynthia Johnson, LCSW, BCD
• Laura Jo Leach, LMSW
• Doris P. McLay
• Lanier Sachs, M. Ed., NCC
• Carol Sanders, RN
• Warren Thompson, Ph. D
• J. Dawson Wells, LMSW
According to two-time Red Door Bash Co-Chair Rae Hirsch, this year’s event will open with a reception and silent auction, followed by a three-course dinner, an opportunity to hear from a Gilda’s Club member in the form of a “Member Moment” and an awards program.
“The Red Door Bash committee hasn’t let the current environment prevent them from planning another extraordinary event,” Hirsch said. “I’m most excited about this year’s silent auction, which includes a well-curated selection of experiences, jewelry, art and more. We’re also fortunate to be working with Nashville Interiors to create a lovely space for event participants to have their portraits taken.”
“We’re thrilled to have award-winning news anchor, filmmaker and writer Demetria Kalodimos as our celebrity host for a second year,” added Co-Chair Erica Jacobs. “And singer/songwriters Jenny Tolman and Dave Brainard – who are engaged to be married! – are beloved by the Gilda’s Club community. Ever since participating in our annual Songwriters Night in April, people have been asking for more of the duo’s incredible music and charming wit and rapport.”
Tickets to the Red Door Bash, sponsored in part by Omni Nashville and Burr+Forman, are $250 and include reception food and beverages, access to a silent auction, a three-course meal with wine service, and valet parking. For more information and to reserve a seat, visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/koa/.
ABOUT GILDA’S CLUB MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, an affiliate of the Cancer Support Community, is dedicated to providing support, education, and hope to all people impacted by cancer, including those diagnosed and family and friends. Free of charge to everyone – thanks to our generous donors – Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee’s evidence-based program for adults, teens, children, and families includes support groups, health and nutrition coaching, healthy lifestyle workshops, mind-body classes, social activities, educational lectures, and community resource information. Offering approximately 70 professionally-led support and networking groups, and more than 80 educational workshops and lectures each month – either online or from our midtown Nashville location, Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee is able to make a tangible difference in the lives of those impacted by cancer. We build community, so no one has to face cancer alone. www.gildasclubmiddletn.org.
MEDIA CONTACT
Laura Alabed-Olsson
Director of Marketing
Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee
laura@gildasclubmiddletn.org, 615-329-1124 (o) or 615-948-7682 (c)