Page 18 - The Indian EYE 050126

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 01, 2026 | The Indian Eye 18

Gift of Life USA Celebrates 11th Gala

with Inspiring Speakers

Advocating & Supporting Differently Abled Individuals - “Living with Post Traumatic

Stress Disorder (PTSD), Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) and Scleroderma”

OUR BUREAU awareness of various disorders and community inclusion. This year we
inspiring individuals living with the heard inspiring speakers Tiffany liv-
New York, NY
disorders. This year the organization ing with PTSD, BPD and Evamarie
o-hosted by Kalpana Patel advocated and supported inspiring Gilbes-Cole living with Scleroderma
of UCI and emceed by Dr. individuals living with Post Traumat- for over 16 years, Keynote Speaker
CHarshil Parekh, Gift of Life ic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Border- Dr. Shashi Patel, Dr. Vikas Malik
USA celebrated its 11th Annual Gala line Personality Disorder (BPD) and (Psychiatrist) and Dr. Nilesh Soni en-
- this past weekend at an evening Scleroderma. joyed a classical masterpiece Kathak
filled with inspiring speakers and sev- The Gala event, orchestrated Performance and enjoyed a mesmer-
eral opportunities to make a differ- by the organization, was proof of izing show by Guiness World Re-
ence in our community, celebrating innovative spirit and dedication to cord Holder mentalist and magician our Committee Members, Perform-
11 years of dedicated service to the making a meaningful difference and Ivan Michael. Several prizes and gift ers, Donors, Supporters, Volunteers,
special needs community. Keynote was evident of compassion, empathy, baskets were raffled by Dr. Bhavani and well-wishers for their continued
Speaker Dr. Shashi Patel shared his and tireless dedication to the noble Srinivasan. Sumptuous appetizers, support over years. The team’s vision
powerful and inspiring vision reflect- cause. In a landscape often marked dinner and desserts brough smiles on and efforts were a remarkable step
ing his journey with his very special by monotonous programs, the ability faces. forward towards changing lives and
son Sameer Patel and wife Dr. Usha of Gift of Life USA to infuse creativ- The Gala recognized their com- making our world a better place.
Patel. Board member Shashi Malik, ity and uniqueness into the Gala was mitted and dedicated donors – Dr. Our heartfelt Thank you to
Sheetal & Jasmin Pathak, Kamlesh duly complimented and attended by Shashi Patel, Dr. Ravi Bhooplapur, all for being part of our incredible
& Mrudula Parekh, Asha Shah and community leaders, over 30 Organi- ASK Foundation, Kalpana Patel journey, supporting our various pro-
Darshna and Chetan Mehta along zation Presidents .and several distin- (UCI), Sunil Hali (Media), Kanak grams and activities, not limited to,
with volunteers were instrumental at guished doctors. & Prabha Golia (Perfume Center of “Save a Child” Support, “We are
the registration and welcome desk. Apart from combating social America), Darshana & Chetan Me- Special” Talent & Skill Recognition,
Under Flora’s leadership, Gift stigma by raising awareness about hta, Sheetal Pathak, Mayur Dalal “Health & Education,” “Awareness”,
of Life USA holds an Annual Gala different disorders, the true strength and Vass Pipe (Sunil and Anil Jain). “College Scholarships for Different-
where they highlight differently abled of Gift of Life USA lies in the fund- The event was graced by several dis- ly-Abled” and “Service Dog Support
individual talents, demonstrating the ing and support it gives to individuals tinguished Organization Presidents Program”. The organization awards
appreciation of diversity, inclusion, with these various physical and men- and Community leaders –Dr. Bhupi Scholarships to Autistic College stu-
and cultural competence. The Gala tal disorders. Patel, Devang Patel, Shudh Jasuja, dents, promote and highlight talent
provides a safe space for those with Over the years, the Gala has Mukund Mehta, Dr. Purvi Dixit, Ha- of the differently abled, help special
physical and mental challenges to visualized the incredible talent of ridas Kotahwala, Vinod Shah, Kanti needs community with health and
bring awareness and express them- several differently abled individu- Vadsola, Dr. Harshad Bhatt, Drs. education needs and much more.
selves as equals in society. Flora’s als with Parkinson’s, OCD, Autism, Shyam and Maya Rao, Dr. Tazeem Gift of Life USA, is a 501 (C) (3)
work with Gift of Life USA has not Down-syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, As- Beg, Lions President Howard Ma- non-profit organization, founded by
only elevated the voices of all, re- perger’s, Epilepsy, Visually Impaired zer, Kidney donor Kevin Harrison, President & Founder Flora Parekh,
gardless of ability, but has furthered Conditions, Physically Disabled / Abbas Fazal, Rupa Doshi, Rajesh Pa- Co-Founder Paresh Parekh and
the accessibility of resources and op- Challenged, Amputees, Dysprax- tel , Dr. Mahendra and Chhaya Patel CFO Dr. Harshil Parekh, focused
portunities for everyone. ia Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Schizo- (Friends of ARCH), Indu Jaiswal, on generating efficient resources to
Every year, the Gala witness- phrenia, Bipolar Disorder, & many Jyoti Gupta, Bhadresh Acharya, and support the physically and mentally
es the inspiring journey of several more. to help them achieve higher many more. challenged through fundraising, ad-
disorders, advocating and raising independence, self-sufficiency, and Our heartfelt Thank you to all vocacy, and education.

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