Our third Annual “Giving from The Heart Gala” was a tremendous success and we raised over
$33,000 for our great cause.
Over 130 people came out to show their support for the amazing work that we have been doing!
The night kicked off with Celtic Cross Pipes and Drums and their powerful rendition of “Amazing
Grace”. Honorees for the evening included Bryce Schopfer and Bernadette Schopfer, Martha Osborn
and Cathy Davidson.
One of the most moving parts of the evening occurred when guest of honor Kristine Brite Mc
Cormick (www.corasstory.com) shared her emotional story about her daughter Cora who only lived 5
days because of an undetected Congenital Heart Defect. Kristine was a strong advocate in her home
state of Indiana (Indiana was the first state to pass legislation mandating pulse oximetry screening)
and has been an amazing resource to advocates in many states including Matthew’s Hearts of Hope
in the states of Connecticut and New York.
Following Kristine, the audience had the great honor of hearing Michael Grabell’s story. As the
father to a baby boy born at Greenwich Hospital on July 10th, Mr. Grabell’s son was diagnosed with
CHD using the now mandated Pulse Oximetry Screening, that was made law by the efforts of Senator
Michael Mc Lachlan and Matthew’s Hearts of Hope. Although Michael and his wife Laura live in New
York, they delivered at Greenwich Hospital where the screening law was in place! New York now has
a similar law which will be enacted starting January 2014. These laws save lives!! There are three
other babies that we know of in Connecticut that have been saved using mandated Pulse Oximetry
Screening.
The audience also enjoyed emcee Joe Moravsky, Finalist in American Ninja warrior in Las Vegas
who did an amazing job at keeping the crowd engaged and entertained.
A special thank you to everyone who supported our event, especially our Platinum Sponsors,
Masimo and Silver Heart Sponsors, Bank Street Theater and Westchester Modular Homes.
Thank you to all our donors and Friends to Matthew’s Hearts of Hope, your contributions are greatly
appreciated! Thank you also to our incredible fundraising committee, our success year after year is a
testament to all your hard work!
We have started to receive some grant applications and the deadline of December 1st is fast
approaching. Matthew also recently saw Dr. Snyder, his pulse oximetry reading was a little low 91%
to 92% so we did some bloodwork, a CBC and Liver Function Tests and all is the same as a year ago.
Two days later his pulse oximetry readings were back up to 94% to 95%. He’s just keeping me on my
toes!
I have begun to reach out to Senator Benjamin Downing and Representative Denise Garlick in
Massachusetts to ensure that mandated pulse oximetry screening becomes a reality there. I am also
checking into Rhode Island. I will keep you all posted.
Matthew’s Hearts of Hope is also the charity of choice for the Festival of Tables sponsored by the
Ladies Philoptochos Society at the Amber Room on November 9th from 12:00 to 4:00pm. For more
information or tickets please contact Rose Koulouris at (203) 417 8450
As thanksgiving approaches I am always grateful for the many people who support us on our great
journey. We are truly blessed, thank you from the bottom of my heart and Matthew’s half a heart!
Please feel proud of all that you are a part of, I know I do!!
The "Heart" of Matthew's Hearts of Hope
Kristine Brite Mc Cormick with Marie Hatcher
