November 20, 2019 – The second annual St. Jude Popup Dinner Party for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® raised a record $105,000 for kids with childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Event Chairs Julian and Tatiana Casanova hosted the event on November 9 at the W Fort Lauderdale for more than 120 guests.
The event began with a cocktail reception followed by dinner prepared by Chef Norman Van Aken, the only Florida chef included on the James Beard Foundation’s list of “Who’s Who in American Food and Beverage” and a 2016 Menu Masters Hall of Fame inductee. Signature dishes included coffee-rubbed and-roasted beef tenderloin with a potato ‘torta,’ wild mushrooms, pearl onions and Mencia reduction, pecan chocolate caramel tarts with coffee ice cream and premium wines from Bodegas Carrau, Bodegas San Bernandino, Valtea and Italian Fashion Rose Sparkling Collection selected by Fareida Rajkumar, Hospitality Consultant and Sommelier.
This year’s culinary party also included live and silent auctions, patient family speaker, dancing and the St. Jude ABC’s of Cancer display. The display was created by St. Jude patients and offers 26 views of living with cancer and the lessons learned from that journey. It gives the children a way to express themselves using the letters of the alphabet and is a poignant reminder of what these children and their families go through on a daily basis.
“My husband and I are honored to be involved with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other-life-threatening diseases” said Tatiana Casanova. “Thanks to our generous guests – events like this help ensure families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.”
In addition to Event Chairs Julian and Tatiana Casanova, committee members included Bibiana Barreto, Mauricio Bayon, Damary Lebrón, Patricia Rengifo, Luz Stella Rios and Angela Tanner.
Special thanks to event sponsors: The Morgan Law Group, JTS, Maxon Productions, Holman Enterprises, YO Creative Marketing Consulting, OTC for me, William Agencies, EDHOC, Miller Coors, Don Q, Bodegas Carrau, Bodegas San Bernandino, Bodegas Valtea, Fashion Rose, Falcon Farms, Nüage Designs, Casa Diris Floral Designs and The Tanner Group.
For more information or to further help St. Jude throughout the year, contact Ligia Santos at (305) 537 – 1429 or visit stjude.org to donate.
About St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. Its purpose is clear: Finding cures. Saving children.® It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to more than 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude won’t stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, sharing stories and videos from St. Jude Inspire, liking St. Jude on Facebook, following St. Jude on Twitter and Instagram and subscribing to its YouTube channel.
