3rd Annual Charity Ball Honoring Dr. Edward C. Benzel - A Sucess!
Two hundred people attended the 3rd Annual Charity Ball on March 13, helping CSF to gross almost $100,000! We are grateful to our loyal supporters who, despite terrible weather and a slumping economy, came to show their dedication to our organization and its mission. Guests included more than 40 physicians from North Shore /LIJ Health System, Staten Island University Hospital, Long Island Veterinary Specialists, Doctors Community Hospital, Greenwich Hospital, and Cleveland Clinic.
Thanks to the Steering Committee members, Denise Aversano, Bob Rumphrey, Paul Farrell, and Dorothy Poppe, for all of their hard work and a special thank you to Denise for singlehandedly coordinating and preparing the Charity Ball raffle. Thank you also to our Charity Ball sponsors and to all the volunteers who help to make this a wonderful evening, year after year.
Dr. and Mrs. Edward C. Benzel
The Central National-Gottesman Foundation
The Cleary Family
Codman
DLI Investments
The Farrell Family
The Farrell Law Firm, LLP
Integra Foundation
Long Island Veterinary Specialists
Medtronic’s Spinal & Biologics Business
North Shore/LIJ Health System
Bob and Toni Rumphrey
Staten Island University Hospital
The Wind Was Blowing, But The Stars Still Shined
By Sabrina Stabile (Charity Ball guest)
Despite monsoon-like weather, the 3rd Annual CSF Charity Ball and Silent Auction was a complete and utter success with a full house...
There aren’t many things I could do to help myself living with Chiari Malformation, but finding the Chiari & Syringomyelia Foundation may be the most important thing I could do at this point. I know that the medical world is not quite ready or prepared to deal with certain neurological issues such as mine; there simply isn’t enough medical knowledge. I wouldn’t say it’s incurable, but the cure hasn’t been found yet. Living with a “less known about” illness is life shattering, but when one aspect of your life is falling apart, you must compensate in other areas of your life. I find it spiritually uplifting to know and to see in action people’s charitable ways; it gives me hope, especially with misunderstood illnesses. I have never been a selfish person, although this medical ailment can change perspective. Nevertheless, it does give me peace of mind to realize that people in the future, children and adults alike, may not have to suffer with what I go through daily, because of our efforts today. My son has juvenile diabetes, and I am so grateful to unnamed people from a century ago who did what CSF is doing now for these uncured conditions.
March 13, 2010 was a magical night. The goal of the night was awareness, and CSF met that goal. The venue and food was phenomenal, but better than that…even though the weather was atrocious, the turnout was outstanding – a full house. So many people donated time, money, and most of all, effort for months, yet the atmosphere was relaxing. I actually forgot I was a patient for most of the night. I sat with and was able to meet another Chiarian and her family. They are very nice people who, unfortunately, suffer as I do. Of course, the night was bittersweet. There was a remembrance for “Boots” 
Matelski, who recently passed away. Although it was upsetting, I was glad that the night’s honoree, Dr. Edward Benzel, coined her the Chiari and Syringomyelia “athlete” for her perseverance and positive attitude, traits so many of us have to learn to acquire. Events like these are essential to meeting our ultimate goal – a cure. Without the neurosurgeons in the world that are willing to push the envelope, that goal may never be reached.
Thank you CSF!
