The Pediatric Cancer Foundation of the Lehigh Valley raised about $210,000 at its 2022 Hearts of Gold Gala March 26. Guests in tuxedos and evening gowns enjoyed cocktails, dinner, dancing and a live auction of children’s artwork conducted by auctioneer Jason Douglas Houser.

The nonprofit’s lavish fundraiser was hosted at the Centennial Catering and Conference Center in Center Valley.

“We switched from November to March,” says Executive Director Michelle Zenie. She explains the 2021 fall event was postponed until spring of 2022 due to COVID. “We are going to keep it in March,” Zenie adds, “I think it’s a great time of year to do it.”

Former WFMZ anchor and reporter Will Lewis presided as the guest emcee. Currently a reporter with Queen City News in Charlotte, North Carolina, Lewis has remained involved with area nonprofits here. “I’ve lived in the Lehigh Valley for 10 years, and this is just like home to me.”

While in the Valley, Lewis met 10-year-old pediatric cancer patient David Heard. Lewis was inspired by the boy’s creating origami cranes for other children with the same diagnosis. Lewis had lost his grandfather to prostate cancer.

Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital President Anne Baum and PCFLV Board of Directors Cecilia Grabias also addressed the packed banquet room.

As guest speaker, Travis Reese described his dramatic battle with T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Diagnosed with a mediastinal mass at the start of his sophomore year in high school, Reese’s health and life as a 16-year-old honors student, soccer player, and chess competitor came to a nearly fatal end.

The teen’s shortness of breath and fatigue rapidly progressed into complete respiratory failure. His fight with pneumocystis pneumonia required intense life support efforts, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

Reese woke up months later from his medically-induced coma ready to prevail despite the poor prognosis and low statistical odds against recovery.

He spoke of how his doctors and family inspired him to conquer obstacles in his path.

Now a freshman at Emory University, 19-year-old Reese is a physics major on the premed track. He plans to study Pediatric Hematology/Oncology in medical school.

Inspired by superhero The Flash, Reese says, “Sometimes terrible things happen to us when we’re children. Things that can define who we become, whether we want them to or not.” Reese takes this quote from the DC’s Justice League character to heart.

Reese’s symbolic artwork created for the evening’s auction, titled “Bolt of Courage” fetched $1125 with Reading resident Mike Johnson’s winning bid.

“Rainbow Warriors” by John Notchey, Jr. and McCoy Rapa, fetched the highest bid for children’s artwork at $12,000.

Other items scoring high bids include $5,600 for “Be-You-Tiful” by Jillian Sayre, $5,000 for “Crown of a Warrior” by Makayla Becker, and $4,200 for Garrett Solderitch’s “I’d Rather Be Fishing.”

Up for bid or purchase were gift baskets donated by area businesses and individuals, bottles of wine in a “wine pull,” as well as glass centerpieces created by Banana Factory artist Dennis Gardner.

A Scholarship Fund Pledge Drive was followed by music and dancing with Penguin Party Planning DJ Mike Cichoki.

Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital was the event’s “Presenting” sponsor. The center is celebrating its 10-year anniversary in May 2022, according to Vice President of Patient Care Karen Vadyak.

Brooklyn Bred served the event’s “Gold Ribbon” sponsor. George Gavirati, director of sales for national accounts for the New York-based bakery, says that he became a PCFLV supporter through the friendship his family has with Vanessa Stauffer, a young cancer survivor. Stauffer’s mom Tracy is a PCFLV employee. Inspired by the Parkland sophomore’s quiet struggle and recovery, Gavirati says, “Vanessa is a role model for survivors.”

Additional sponsors included Structural Metal Fabricators, Rob and Kristen Bennett, Astound Broadband, Teamsters #773, Ai Orthodontics, St. Luke’s Pediatrics, Houser Auctioneers, Burkholder Heating and Air Conditioning, Matt Cannon Photography, Aveanna, East Penn Self Storage, McGriff, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, Dr. Marsha Gordon, Dr. Astolfi, Jaindl Enterprises, BSI, Sidleck Crane, EZMicro, Red Robin, Painting and Decorating by Shane, and PenTeleData.

PCFLV is located at 2132 S. 12th St., Suite 401, Allentown. Information: www.pcflv.org, 484-221-9294