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UMass Memorial Medical Center President Michael Gustafson; Michael V. O’Brien, Winter Ball co-chair and executive vice president at Winn Companies; Kate McEvoy, Winter Ball co-chair and vice president for Central and Western Massachusetts at Harvard Pilgrim Health Care; UMass Memorial Health Care President and CEO Eric W. Dickson; Lt. Governor Karyn Polito; Chancellor Michael F. Collins; and Dean Terence R. Flotte. |
The Winter Ball, the premier fundraising gala supporting the mission of the academic health sciences center formed by UMass Memorial Medical Center and UMass Medical School, reached its $2 million goal this year. The event, which featured remarks from Lt. Governor Karyn Polito, drew more than 400 patrons to Worcester’s famed Mechanics Hall on Friday, Dec. 7.
Since 2009, members of the Central Massachusetts community—business and civic leaders, philanthropists and humanitarians—have gathered in early December at the Winter Ball to celebrate and support the lifesaving work of these two institutions. Including this year’s record amount, the total monies raised by the event is more than $9.4 million. Event proceeds are generated from corporate sponsorships—which hit a record high in 2018, totaling more than $850,000—live and mobile auctions, a fund-a-need auction segment and individual ticket sales.
“The Winter Ball is such a wonderful demonstration of the greater community’s support of our public missions. I am most grateful for the generosity of all who have attended and supported our Winter Ball during the last decade. In doing so, the community bolsters our ability to advance care, education and research, and inspires future generations of care providers and biomedical researchers to achieve at the highest levels,” said Chancellor Michael F. Collins.
Each year, a program, center or other important initiative at UMass Medical School and UMass Memorial is selected as a Fund-a-Need beneficiary. This year, it was the Cochlear Implant Program, which helps patients of all ages suffering from severe hearing loss or deafness.
“Over the past decade, the Winter Ball has been a special reminder of the tremendous level of support our institutions enjoy here in Central Massachusetts and beyond. Without question, the generosity of our donors has improved the care of our patients and furthered our academic and research missions. I tip my cap to our sponsors and patrons for their continued support, and to the Winter Ball team for their hard work and planning to make this a special night for all involved,” said Eric W. Dickson, MD, president and CEO of UMass Memorial Health Care.
Organizers say they have already begun to plan for 2019 Winter Ball.
