Scleroderma

The Scleroderma Care Foundation held last evening its very First Annual Christmas Dinner for Scleroderma patients, their families, friends, and specially invited guests. Held at the Le Sportel Inn, Centre Of Excellence, Macoya, the event was well attended with several of the evening's highlights including an excellent menu, gift-giving ceremony, and stunning rendition of Alicia Keys' "No One", by a very special and gifted young songstress, Rayan Ganor.

The wonderful evening was kicked off by its Master of Ceremonies, Ms. Tovalyn Bartholomew (who very recently vied for Miss World Trinidad & Tobago, 2009) with a prayer, and general welcome to all guests. This was followed by Ms. Ganor's most outstanding, memorable, and powerful performance of Alicia Key's "No One".

The Foundation's President Adelwyn Holder, during the evening's proceedings took the opportunity to address the guests. In his speech, he offered a brief insight into how the organization got started and what it has accomplished to date. He also noted that the year 2010 would present significant challenges, as the Foundation would be seeking to bring about greater awareness of the disease and develop programmes which provided much improved treatment and care for Scleroderma patients. He similarly noted that "we can rise above these challenges, and we definitely will - especially, if we meet them together, and as a family" - which was definitely, the recurrent theme made in additional speeches throughout the evening.

According to the Foundation's Vice-President, Susan Le Gendre, "Our First Annual Christmas Dinner was indeed a success. We had a wonderful time together. I would like to thank all those who were able to attend and join in to create wonderful memories. Our President worked tediously to give us a well deserved, joyous evening." She similarly added, "I want to take this opportunity to send Christmas greetings to all. I hope that the atmosphere of sharing, loving and giving stays with all of us all through the coming New Year. May God bless you with good health and prosperity".

The Foundation wishes to thank everyone that made the evening a success - Linda Samuel, Mary Lezama, Reyon and Jeanine Phillip, Dwynel and Deneyce Le Gendre, Jamai Wiliams, Natalie Jeremiah, Nicole and Myrella Balthazar for giving so much of their valuable time to help with all the hard work needed to make our guests comfortable.  A special thanks to Superior Sounds, who did an excellent job catering for the musical tastes of all at the dinner.

Most importantly, hats off to our events planner, Samamtha Lamsee. It was indeed a pleasure working with her, and one we look forward to again in the near future.