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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline MAY 02, 2025 | The Indian Eye 16

Gift of Life USA Hosts

its 10th Gala 2025

Advocating & Supporting Differently Abled Individuals – “Living with Parkinson’s

and obsessive compulsive disorder”

OUR BUREAU
New York, NY
ift of Life USA, is a 501 (C)
(3) non-profit organization,
Gfounded by Paresh Parekh,
Flora Parekh, and Dr. Harshil Parekh,
with the aim to help the physically and
mentally challenged and nurture ac-
ceptance and empathy, bridging the
gap across the various communities
that form our society. The organiza-
tion celebrated its 10th Annual Gala
- OCD this past weekend at an evening
filled with inspiring speakers and sev-
eral opportunities to make a differ-
ence in our community, celebrating
10 years of dedicated service to the
special needs community.
The event was gracefully emceed
by Dr. Harshil Parekh, Bee Sharma
(London) and Freya Savla (Boston)
and had a full house with represen-
tation from several organizations and
community leaders. Every year, the
Gala witnesses the inspiring journey
of several disorders, advocating and
raising awareness of various disorders orders.
and inspiring individuals living with Over the years, the Gala has visu-
the disorders. This year we advocated alized the incredible talent of the vi-
and supported Parkinson’s and OCD sually impaired, autistic speakers and
(obsessive compulsive disorder). The models, down syndrome entrepre-
Gala event, orchestrated by the orga- neurs, Asperger’s - epilepsy disorders,
nization, was proof of innovative spirit cerebral palsy role models, our spe-
and dedication to making a meaning- cial amputees, dyspraxia, dementia,
ful difference and was evident of com- Schizophrenia and Bipolar. This year
passion, empathy, and tireless dedica- we advocated and supported Parkin-
tion to the noble cause. son’s and OCD with inspiring speak-
In a landscape often marked by ers, Special needs band by autistic
monotonous programs, the ability of and down syndrome Kool Spectrum
Gift of Life USA to infuse creativi- band players, Dominican and Asian
ty and uniqueness into the Gala was dancers Sanjana and Samyuktha and
duly noticed and complimented by a unique performance by Masala
community leaders. Bhangra.
Apart from combating social stig- The Gala recognized their com-
ma by raising awareness about differ- mitted and dedicated donors – ASK Dr, Harshil Parekh and Mukund and form where sponsors, donors and sup-
ent disorders, the true strength of Gift Foundation, Kalpana Patel (UCI), Padma Mehta (Life Achievement porters get the opportunity to meet
of Life USA lies in the funding and Kanak & Prabha Golia (Perfume Award) for their continued support inspiring Differently abled Speakers,
support it gives to individuals with Center of America), Vass Pipe (Sunil for 10 years, since inception. Entrepreneurs, employers, perform-
these various physical and mental dis- Shah), Navika Capital (Naveen Shah), The Gala serves as a unique plat- Continued on next page... >>

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