March of DimesMARCH OF DIMES

Black Ties for Babies

Saturday, October 20, 2018  |  6 p.m.
UMASS Club
1 Beacon St, Boston, MA 02108

For more informaiton, please contact Vanessa DeMichele at (508) 329-2831.
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EVENT DETAILS

Black Ties for Babies is an exclusive evening of live entertainment, a delectable 3-course dinner, and a lively auction for a great cause. Join some of Massachusetts' outstanding philanthropists and business professionals in supporting the March of Dimes mission in preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality.  Funds raised through this event support medical research, community programs, education and advocacy to give every baby a fighting chance.

Due to the high demand of tickets, online purchasing is not available. To purchase tickets please contact Vanessa DeMichele at (508) 329-2831 or [email protected].
 

SUPPORT THE MISSION

March of Dimes leads the fight for the health of all moms and babies. We believe that every baby deserves the best possible start. Unfortunately, not all babies get one. We are changing that.

For 80 years, March of Dimes has helped millions of babies survive and thrive. Now we're building on that legacy to level the playing field for all moms and babies, no matter their age, socio-economic background or demographics. We support moms throughout their pregnancy, even when everythging doesn't go according to plan. We advocate for policies that pioritize their health. We support radical improvements to the care they receive. And we pioneer research to find solutions to the biggest health threats to moms and babies. Consider a gift to the mission here.


2018 BLACK TIES FOR BABIES AMBASSADOR FAMILY

KJ and Regina Johnson were excited and nervous to find out they were expecting a child.  The pregnancy was progressing normally right up until the day Sarah was born when Regina woke up that morning not being able to see.  Regina’s doctor directed her to the hospital that morning and from there everything happened so fast.  Sarah, was born at 29 weeks with a Category 4 brain hemorrhage and required two brain procedures to address the excessive spinal fluid on her brain. Because of the intense pressure, Sarah's eyesight was severely affected until she received surgery on both eyes when she was just over a year old.  Sarah spent a total of 114 days in the NICU.
 
Today, Sarah is a second grader and has made leaps and bounds in her progress! Sarah is classified as low scale Cerebral Palsy, Developmentally Delayed, and has daily physical therapy in school. Sarah doesn’t wear these titles though!  She lives her life to the fullest. Sarah always has a smile and says "Hi, What's Your Name?" as a reminder that life is truly worth living. She is an inspiration and a reminder that we all have a mission in this life.

To make a gift in honor of Sarah, fund the mission here.
 

BECOME A SPONSOR

Through partnerships with companies, organizations and individuals, the March of Dimes is able to create unique moments for your clients, vendors and leadership teams. They participate in an exclusive dining event while supporting a critical cause. Sponsorship opportunities are available at a variety of levels for our events, providing you with brand recognition, civic engagement and an exclusive client entertainment opportunity within the event. We look forward to working with you to discuss your partnership with the March of Dimes. For more sponsorship information, please contact Vanessa DeMichele at (508) 329-2831.

BATTLE OF THE CHEFS

Battling creativity, originality, and taste, the Umass Club’s Mark Allen will be competing against Del Frisco’s Executive Chef, Anthony Figueroa. Each guest will be asked to evaluate their two appetizers, two entrees, and two desserts for one ultimate winner.

2018 FDR HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT

Anthony Valletta

Anthony Valletta is passionate about genuine hospitality and celebrated for his altruism. He began his career in the restaurant business at the age of 13, and knew he found his passion. Working every side of the business, he aspired to be the best and vowed to give back to his community.  Throughout his career, he has held positions at several reputable restaurant groups, including the role of Regional Director at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, and opened countless restaurants across the county.  Today, he is the Chief Operating Officer for the Mina Group and is renowned for his extraordinary hospitality. 

As a husband, father of 2 young children, and a family man, the connection to the March of Dimes was natural for Anthony.  He first became involved in 2013 while working at Del Frisco’s, donating private dinners to the Gala’s auction.  Five years later, the March of Dimes is prominent in his daily life.  Anthony serves on the March of Dimes Boston-Manchester Market Board, launched the Boston market NICU dinner program, contributed more than $150,000 through in-kind and auction donations, and continuously brings his innovative ideas and strategic thinking to our events.

The March of Dimes is proud to honor Anthony for his humanitarianism, generosity and commitment to the health of all moms and babies.   
 
If you would like to make a gift in honor of Anthony, please click here.
 

2018 FDR HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT

Adam Wolfberg, MD, MPH

Adam Wolfberg, MD, MPH, is a maternal-fetal medicine specialist who trained at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital Boston, and Tufts Medical Center. He’s held leadership positions at athena Health and Ariosa Diagnostics, and is the founder and chief medical officer of Mindchild Medical, a fetal EKG startup. Currently, Adam is the chief medical officer at Ovia Health.  He has written extensively on health-related topics, and published his first book in 2012, Fragile Beginnings, about the science and art of caring for preterm babies, based in part on his personal experience with his daughter’s premature birth.

As a physician, author, and entrepreneur, Adam is dedicated to the health of all moms and babies.  He first became involved with the March of Dimes in 2008. The organization’s mission is personal for Adam because his youngest daughter, Larissa, was born at 26 weeks.  Since then, he has been a volunteer and advocate for the March of Dimes, has raised more than $150,000, sits on the Boston-Manchester Board of Directors, has represented the March of Dimes at conferences and at the state house, makes countless introductions to business influencers, and continuously advances our mission. 

The March of Dimes is proud to honor Adam for his compassionate volunteerism, his leadership in maternal and child health, and philanthropic spirit.

If you would like to make a gift in honor of Adam, please click here.

THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS:

THANKS TO OUR SPONSOR:

View our updated event acknowledgements and waivers here.