Joining in the fight against cystic fibrosis

“Imagine knowing that every single day, you are in a race for your

life,” the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation says. “What does it take to

win?”

The scientists, administrators and volunteers respond, “It takes

determination, endurance and a spirit of optimism.”

Newport Beach CF activists Sue and Dave Hook mustered a major

supply of determination, endurance and optimism to rally community

support for the 20th anniversary gala presented by the Cystic

Fibrosis Guild of Orange County.

The black-tie evening, held at the Grand Californian Hotel,

Anaheim, attracted 375 guests and netted more than $300,000. In 20

years, a net amount of more than $4.5 million has been raised by the

Orange County CF Guild for research for a cure. It has been the

tradition of fund-raisers to honor a distinguished local citizen for

their contribution to that cure. Since 1983, honorees have included

Roger Stanton, Red Patterson, Ralph and Eva Mann, Marshall Fant, Ed

Arnold, Carl and Margaret Karcher, Boomer and Cheryl Esiason, the

Motenko family, the Isen family and the Mount family. This year’s

honoree was KZLA radio personality Shawn Parr.

“Shawn has unselfishly given of his time and talent to help raise

hundreds of thousands of dollars for cystic fibrosis,” Sue Hook said.

“We are so happy that Shawn is part of this wonderful family.”

And it is indeed a family, not just a charitable group. Most of

those involved are connected by the horrors of CF. Many are battling

the disease with a child or other significant relation. Others have

lost a child.

As in other years, the evening was dedicated to the memory of one

such child, Sarah Kanofsky, daughter of Myron and Carol Kanofsky and

sister of Megan. Sarah fought CF her entire young life, passing away

at age 12 in 1997. Sarah and her family are symbols of the struggle

and the spirit held by many others.

Some of those intimately involved are Charlene Goetz and Debbie

Hambright, Diane Stovall, Karen Hall, Dean Gerrie, Gail Isen,

Catherine Griffin, Myra Ross and Anne Butcher.

Major underwriting for the affair came from corporate and

individual donors such as American Airlines, BJ’s Restaurant and

Brewery, John and Donna Crean, Jerry and Cheri Hennessy and Pat

Hitchcock O’Connell.

Attending the gala to honor Parr and support CF were Newport’s

Patrick and Lonnie Anderson, Mary Elizabeth Boren, Roland Dextrauder,

Shelly Elam, Paul Gale, David and Corrie Granoff, Cam Hunter, Mike

Hurwitz, Bob Waltos and Mary and Mike Zollman.

The highlight of the evening was an inspirational address by

16-year-old Stacy Motenko. The teenager spoke at last years gala

about living with cystic fibrosis, and she returned this year to

update the crowd on her progress. Her appearance was an upbeat sign

of hope for the many who suffer with her.

* THE CROWD appears Thursdays and Saturdays.