Blossom of Hope 2012: Short Overview and Photos

For the fourth year IWAV and Roche Lietuva organized Blossom of Hope charity event to raise money to purchase biopsy needles for oncology hospitals in Klaipeda, Kaunas, Vilnius, and Siauliai.

This year Blossom of Hope fundraising initiative received strong support from foreign missions, businesses, designers, artists and the guests attending the event. As a result of the joint effort and the spirit of kindness an impressive amount of 76 000 lta was raised to support oncology departments in the four Lithuanian cities. The event took place on 28th of April at Radisson Blu hotel. The gala started with a welcome drink. Guests mingled while enjoying cocktails, live saxophone music, art and design exhibition.

The guests were also offered a free printed portrait photo sponsored by Biuro Pasaulis. Each female guest received pink carnation flowers and a gift-bag with a cosmetic product sponsored by Avon. Delicious Anthon Berg chocolates were another surprise for those attending the evening.

The entertainment program included a charming ballet performance by young ballerinas from Egle Spokaite’s ballet school.

Barbara Little, IWAV chair, made an opening speech introducing and thanking the patron of the event Egle Spokaite as well as the guests of honor Sylvi Muelmenstaedt, wife of the German Ambassador to Lithuania and Sarah Hunt, wife of the British Ambassador to Lithuania.

In her speech, Egle Spokaite emphasized the importance of early breast-cancer diagnostics. She also talked about a strong health culture and healthy habits in the society as well as “giving for the sake of giving and not expecting anything back”. “Our guests are donating life and hope by being here.”- said Egle Spokaite.

Sylvi Muelmenstaedt shared with the audience her experience of being a breast-cancer survivor.

She talked about all the emotions she went through from the point of the devastating life shattering diagnosis and excruciating treatment to the exuberant joy of winning over the disease and staying alive. “Thanks to early detection, the cancer could be contained and successfully treated. I was given a new lease on life”, said Sylvi. "Thank you all for giving your precious time, money, energy and creativity! Thank you for your compassion and generosity!" Sylvi Muelmenstaedt ended her speech by asking the guests to raise their glasses to health and life. Ms.Muelmenstaedt's story moved many guests to tears.

After the guests enjoyed their dinner and lovely jazz performance by Ella Fitzerald Tunes music project, the hosts of the evening Jurate Stankuviene and Gintaras Mikalauskas announced beginning of the charity art and design auction. Susan Haftel and Mike Little acted as English speaking auctioneers.

The bidding and competition was at times fiery! All the items were sold and the three top money makers were: "Chrysanthemum" necklace from Konplott Vilnius, “Sapphire Blossoms” jewellery set by Tauras Blazevicius, and a "Wild Poppy" handbag by Laura Dailidienene. Guests also bid on items at the silent auction and tried their luck in lottery. Silent auction offered accessories by Lithuanian and Latvian designers and artists. The items included for example, an art-deco brooch by Vilija Sabunkaite “Pearls of Hope” specially created for the event; art bag “I challenge the Spring” by Vita Radzina; hand-painted porcelain cups specially created for Blossom of Hope by Ausra Bernotavice and many others. Lottery featured vouchers from Le Meridien V Golf Club, Novotel Vilnius, Radisson Astorija, cruises from Tallink and other exciting prizes.

All the funds raised through sponsorships and sales from the event will be used to purchase biopsy needles for oncology hospitals in Klaipeda, Kaunas, Vilnius, and Siauliai. Reports and photos of needles delivery to hospitals will be available at IWAV website www.iwavilnius.com.

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More information about Blossom of Hope available at http://www.iwavilnius.com/blossom-of-hope-2012.html