Tickets are now on sale for the 16th Annual Night of a Thousand Stars Gala, which will be held on Saturday, Dec. 6.
The event, which raised about $194,000 for the Nebraska AIDS Project last year, will be held from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, 72nd and Grover streets.
The theme for this year’s party is “Bewitched, Bedazzled & Be Dancin'” and once again the event will feature a variety of hors d’oeuvres and desserts and music from Session 7, one of Omaha’s hottest musical groups.
The UNMC pre-party reception with hors d’oeuvres will take place at Pauli’s Blueroom, 4016 Leavenworth St., from 7 to 9 p.m.
“Each year this event is a really good time and it benefits a great cause,” said Keith Swarts, director of business services at UNMC and one of the hosts of the UNMC pre-party. “It’s a great way to segue into the holiday season and I would encourage everyone to come out and join us. They won’t be disappointed.”
Aside from Swarts, the UNMC pre-party will be hosted by:
- Miguel Madariaga, M.D., assistant professor of infectious diseases;
- Ziba Jalali, M.D., assistant professor of infectious diseases;
- Susan Swindells, M.B.B.S., medical director of the UNMC HIV Clinic, and the UNMC HIV Team;
- Mike McGlade, senior associate dean for administration and director of finance, UNMC College of Medicine;
- Jayme Nekuda, UNMC’s director of benefits and worklife services; and
- brothers Chris and Paul Griego and Paul’s wife, Karen, representing Pauli’s Blueroom.
The proceeds raised during the event are invaluable to the patients they benefit, Dr. Swindells said.
“Many of our patients struggle financially and need all the help they can get,” Dr. Swindells said. “It’s hard to quantify what the support from this event really means to our patients.”
Dr. Madariaga echoed Dr. Swindells’ sentiments.
“The majority of the HIV-infected patients in Nebraska are uninsured, low-income, vulnerable, and with multiple health care needs,” Dr. Madariaga said. “Although some federal programs will cover in part the costs of their medical care, the generosity of the attendees to the ‘Night of Thousand Stars’ will help support other vital needs such as case management, housing and transportation, and well as education to prevent the spread of the disease.”
Tickets to the event cost $40 per person and include admittance to both the UNMC pre-party and the citywide party at the Holiday Inn.
For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, contact Deanna Hansen at 559-5392.