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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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