The 23rd Annual Breath of Life Gala and Auction, held on November 11, raised nearly $2,500,000 for cystic fibrosis (CF) research and care. Approximately 1,000 guests and volunteers attended this black-tie event, which was held at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers.
Interestingly, the Patrons of Cystic Fibrosis – the guild that hosts the gala – has raised more than $30 million for CF research in the last 23 years.
Each year, the CF Foundation presents the Breath of Life Award, honoring an organization or individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the fight against CF. This year, Mike and Karen Dunlop were deservingly recognized for their continued dedication to the advancement of CF research and fundraising in the Northwest.
Some of the popular auction items of the night included: a 2006 Mini Cooper convertible auctioned for $24,000, a trip to London and St. Andrew’s auctioned twice for $20,000, a Chihuly Glass Piece and Boathouse Reception auctioned for $17,000 and “The Heart of Tuscany” tour for four auctioned for $28,000.
During the “Bid for a Cure” portion of the evening, Brianna Oas gave an emotional talk about living with CF. With the support of her incredible family and the advancements made in CF care, she is living a full life at the age of 18, something which would have been impossible 20 years ago. The group, called “Supporters for a Cure,” matched those pledges dollar for dollar, raising the total to $2 million for CF in just minutes!
Thank you again to all who participated in the 2006 Breath of Life Gala, including our emcees, Christine Chen and Walter Kelley of Q13 Fox News as well as Shannon and Don Fosseen, the event chairs.
Special thanks also goes to our Nova Star Sponsors of the event: Northland Services, Sheraton Seattle Hotel and Towers, Alaska Airlines, Gilead, Girvin, the Lissy Moore Foundation and Mike and Karen Dunlop. The continued support from generous volunteers, corporations and individuals is leading the way to a cure for CF.
Megan Schmidt is the event director for the Seattle-based Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. 
