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Our Best Event Yet -- Record Attendance at Gala Event in March!

Hundreds honor Dr. Linda Wong

The American Liver Foundation, Hawai'i Chapter's 2008 Recognition Dinner & Silent Auction at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on March 8 was the best event yet! Thanks to the support of our board members, medical advisory committee, event committee members, volunteers, and other community supporters, we had a full house with 400 attendees. We raised approximately $70,000 net, thus surpassing our budgeted event goal for FY 2008, Thank you to all for your generous support and hard work!

But it was much than the record attendance and the dollars raised that made this event a success. It was the fact that many guests were moved by the touching testimonies honoring Dr. Linda Wong. She received the American Liver Foundation’s Outstanding Achievement Award for her outstanding community service and dedication to Hawaii’s liver patients.

Bob Yoder, the husband of Joan Yoder, for whom Dr. Linda Wong performed the first liver transplant in Hawaii, shared about the value of liver disease awareness and how grateful he was to Dr. Wong for prolonging her life. Dr. Naoky Tsai, a long-time colleague of Dr. Wong, also gave special remarks about Dr. Wong.

One of the highlights of the evening was s special tribute to Dr. Linda Wong from the Liver Buddies and some of her patients. They presented her with a plaque commemorating the special occasion and to show their deep gratitude for her.

A soothing performance with special songs and dance by Keali`i Reichel brought the wonderful evening to a close on a high note. Mahalo to Kimo Kahoano, who served as our emcee for the evening, and all those worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event go so smoothly!

Page updated: April 28th, 2008