At "Light Up a Life" are (from left) Dr. Maria New, chairman of the Department of Pediatrics; Kathleen Buddenhagen (founding chair of Light Up a Life); Elizabeth Fuller; Debby Blankman; Dr. Herbert Pardes; Rhonda Erb; and Lisa Desmond.
Light Up A Life's 13th annual pediatric fund-raiser for NewYork Weill Cornell's Department of Pediatrics was held at FAO Schwarz on Saturday, Nov. 10.
Organizers included founding chair Kathleen Burns Buddenhagen; co-chairs Debby Blankman, Paisley Kelling and Wendy Svarre; and other members of the Pediatric Support Committee. The main event was preceded by a reception for special friends at the Trump International Lobby, after which the doors to FAO Schwarz opened for all Light Up a Life guests, including 800 children and their parents. Face painters, balloon artists, and musicians provided entertainment.
Many corporations supported the event by donating gift bag items including wonderful backpacks from Targus Group International, NBC Baby Bean Peacocks, and Eloise porcelain boxes from the Madame Alexander Doll Company.
Proceeds from the event will benefit four important pediatric programs: the Children's Emergency Medical Fund, the Division of Child Protection, the Program for Children and Adolescents with AIDS, and the Big Apple Circus Clown Care Unit at NewYork Weill Cornell Medical Center.