Bulletin - American University of Beirut

and the School of
Nursing. This
wonderful group
gathered to honor
her today is among
the most fervent
supporters of her
Dorman applauds Raja Ilya.
contributions. It is
most fitting that her
memory be preserved here.”
Raja Iliya contributed a few words about his wife
Gala dinner earns funds
Guests during gala dinner.
In a VIP-studded event, the AUB Medical Center’s Brave
Heart Fund hosted its second annual gala dinner at the
Phoenicia Intercontinental Hotel on May 10. VIP invitees
included ambassadors, ministers, deputies, and many others,
bringing the total attendance to 650.
Organized by Ghada Abboud Blanco, the evening aimed
to raise funds to continue the work of saving children suffering
from Congenital Heart Disease (CHD) with the help of a
delicious dinner; music performed by Guy Manoukian on the
piano, DJ Caline Chidiac, and Band 10; and an auction of gift
boxes generously donated by celebrities and institutions.
The impressive list of donors included Reem Acra, Faten
Hamama, Marguerita Missoni, May Jumblatt, Fondation
Samir Kassir, Carlos Ghosn, Anna Molinari, Cynthia Sarkis
Perros, Christian Louboutin, and Sting. The gift boxes hid
mystery items with donation tags starting at $6,000.
The boxes contained gifts from the worlds of fashion,
business, and entertainment—priceless cinema memorabilia
from Faten Hamama, VIP Formula-One tickets from Carlos
Ghosn, red carpet access at the Cannes Film Festival from
Cynthia Sarkis-Perros, and a signed guitar given by Sting.
The Ousseimi Foundation donated a Smart car for auction.
The thrill of going home with a box of gifts was heightened
by the knowledge that all proceeds would go towards
saving a child’s life.
and his gift in her name to the School of Nursing. “We are
gathered here to celebrate a true friend,” he said, “Nothing
would please her more than to be a vital catalyst in the
progression of the Hariri School of Nursing.”
Nuhad Azoury, president of the Young Women’s Christian
Association (YWCA), capped off the inauguration, highlighting
Iliya’s role as president of the YWCA from 1994 to 1996. “Leila’s
energy and dedication, combined with a great sense of humor,
inspired and pressed us to work harder for the benefit of the
YWCA. She will be missed terribly but her legacy of community
spirit shall remain an inspiration to us all,” she said.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for us to see how
a community really does have the power to help make a
positive change. Our activities care for the heart, and our
existence relies on donations from the hearts of others,”
announced founding Brave Heart Fund member Joumana
Ghandour Atallah.
In our seventh year, “we are very proud of our achievements
so far in touching the lives of over 900 families,” said
founding Brave Heart Fund member Riham Kosta Serhan,
Among the speakers were AUB President Peter Dorman;
Dr. Mohammad Sayegh, vice president and Raja N. Khuri
Dean of Medical Affairs; and Dr. Fadi Bitar, Brave Heart
Fund founding member and director of the Children’s Heart
Center.
In Lebanon alone, more than 700 babies are diagnosed
with heart disease every year. About 400 of those cases
need some form of treatment for survival. Left untreated, 70
percent of these children may die. CHD remains a top killer
in the first year of life.
Since its establishment in 2003, the Brave Heart Fund
has seen enormous growth in the number of patients helped.
In 2009, the fund had enough money to cover 248 surgeries,
compared to 195 surgeries in 2008—a 25 percent increase
in treated cases in just one year.
This year’s awareness campaign slogan, “Don’t Save
Money, Save Lives,” and aims to raise awareness about the
devastating impact CHD can have on infants, children, teens,
and their families. The campaign hopes to rally greater support
from the community in order to increase education and
support services, collect research funding, and enhance the
quality of care for CHD patients.
Ninety-eight percent of children who receive proper
treatment for CHD can recover to lead normal, fulfilling,
and healthy lives. For a child born in today’s world with
CHD, there is no obstacle to receiving proper treatment in
Lebanon, other than lack of fund.
Continued
Gift keeps on giving
In a circle of generosity, the Women’s Auxiliary of the
American University of Beirut Medical Center regularly lends
its support to nurses—both students and professionals—
who carry on to provide medical services to Lebanon.
Celebrating the achievements of students and nurses
and those of the Women’s Auxiliary, or “Ladies in Pink” as
they are known, is the annual Toy Tea Party, held this year
on May 14, 2010, under the patronage of former minister
Leila El-Solh Hamade, in the gardens of Marquand House,
the AUB president’s residence.
Rafic Hariri School of Nursing Director Huda Huijer
thanked the Ladies in Pink for their annual support, represented
in scholarships to two nursing students and awards
to 10 others. The top registered nurse and best practical
nurse at the medical center are also given awards.
“We are very grateful for all your efforts,” said Huijer.
The high-profile guests attending the Toy Tea Party
included former Minister Karam Karam; Teresa Fontoura, the
Brazilian ambassador’s wife; Olga Boukin, the Russian ambassador’s
wife; AUB President Peter Dorman; Dr. Mohammed
Al Sayegh, vice president for Medical Affairs; in addition to
former minister El Solh Hamade, Lebanon’s first female minister
and the vice president
of the Alwaleed Bin Talal
Humanitarian Foundation.
Amal Najjar, president
of the Women’s Auxiliary,
gave a glowing thanks to
the former minister for
her support to both the
Women’s Auxiliary at AUBMC
[L-R] Dorman, Najjar, El-Solh
Hamade, and Sayegh
and to Lebanon as a whole.
Najjar quoted Mother Theresa: “We ourselves feel that what
we are doing is just a drop in the ocean.” She added: “The
volunteers always hope that their drop in the ocean will
translate into helping a greater number of needy patients
and to endorsing the nursing profession and providing assistance
and services to AUBMC.”
“Why do we call our party as such” asked Nadia
Alemddine, Women’s Auxiliary program chairperson. “We
usually come with a toy or donation in hand for a sick child
at the hospital, and we end the party by inviting the guests
to tea,” she said just before launching the musical treat for
the guests: Maria Mattar and Pierre Sammia gave impressive
selections from Puccini’s Carmen and Mozart’s Figaro
after which the guests enjoyed the generous buffet.
The Women’s Auxiliary, known as the Ladies in Pink
consists of a group of women volunteers established in 1950
to raise funds for needy patients, to support AUB Medical
Center in terms of volunteer service and other programs and
to help instil community awareness by holding lectures on
various cultural topics. The Women’s Auxiliary is composed
of four branches; the Coffee Shop, the Bargain Box, the Gift
Shop and the hospital volunteers. It currently consists of 70
volunteers.
Women’s League donates check for
scholarships
The Women’s League of the American University of Beirut
honored First Lady Wafaa Sleiman, who is also president
of the National Commission for Women in Lebanon, in recognition
of her role in “improving the status of women in
Lebanon and helping them secure their rights.”
Sleiman was given the league emblem during the
Annual Garden Party of the Women’s League, held in the
garden of Marquand House, residence of AUB’s president,
on June 7, 2010.
The party wrapped up a year of activities and service
to the AUB community with the donation of a $10,500 check
Women Auxiliary members posing with President Dorman, HE Solh, and
Dean Sayegh.
towards a scholarship fund
for students with special
needs at AUB.
Founded in 1919 by a
group of women including
current AUB President Peter
Dorman’s grandmother,
Mary Dale Dorman, the
league has been promoting
acquaintance among women
from various nationalities
Sleiman receiving league emblem
Continued
26 AUB Bulletin June 2010 AUB Bulletin June 2010 27