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Gift of Life USA gala raises awareness for mental and physical health conditions
This year’s gala highlighted individuals living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Scleroderma.
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Staff Reporter - Sat, 25, Apr 2026
- 14:18 EDT
- 58
The Gala recognized committed and dedicated donors / Handout
Gift of Life USA marked its 11th annual gala with a focus on advocacy, awareness, and support for individuals living with physical and mental health challenges, bringing together community leaders, medical professionals, and supporters for an evening centered on inclusion and impact.
Founded by Flora Parekh along with co-founder Paresh Parekh and CFO Dr. Harshil Parekh, the organization has built its mission around providing resources, education, and financial support to the differently abled community.
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Gift of Life USA gala highlights / HandoutThis year’s gala highlighted individuals living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, and Scleroderma, underscoring the importance of reducing stigma while amplifying lived experiences.
Keynote speaker Dr. Shashi Patel shared a personal and emotional account of his family’s journey, offering insight into the realities of caregiving and resilience. Speakers including Tiffany, who lives with PTSD and BPD, and Evamarie Gilbes-Cole, who has managed scleroderma for over 16 years, brought powerful, firsthand perspectives to the stage.
The event also featured discussions led by medical professionals, including psychiatrist Dr. Vikas Malik and Dr. Nilesh Soni, along with cultural performances such as a Kathak recital and an appearance by Guinness World Record-holding mentalist Ivan Michael.
Organizers said the gala continues to serve as a platform not only for awareness but also for tangible support, including scholarships for autistic college students, health and education initiatives, and programs such as “Save a Child” and service dog support.
The evening also recognized donors and community leaders for their contributions, including Dr. Shashi Patel, Dr. Ravi Bhooplapur, ASK Foundation, Kalpana Patel (UCI), Sunil Hali, Kanak and Prabha Golia, Darshana and Chetan Mehta, Sheetal Pathak, Mayur Dalal, and Sunil and Anil Jain of Vass Pipe.
The event drew a wide cross-section of community leaders and organization heads, among them Dr. Bhupi Patel, Devang Patel, Shudh Jasuja, Mukund Mehta, Dr. Purvi Dixit, Haridas Kotahwala, Vinod Shah, Kanti Vadsola, Dr. Harshad Bhatt, Drs. Shyam and Maya Rao, Dr. Tazeem Beg, Lions President Howard Mazer, kidney donor Kevin Harrison, Abbas Fazal, Rupa Doshi, Rajesh Patel, Dr. Mahendra and Chhaya Patel of Friends of ARCH, Indu Jaiswal, Jyoti Gupta, and Bhadresh Acharya.
Over the years, the event has highlighted individuals living with a wide range of conditions, from autism and cerebral palsy to Parkinson’s disease and schizophrenia, promoting greater independence, self-sufficiency, and community inclusion.
As the nonprofit enters its next year, leaders emphasized continued efforts to expand access to resources and create spaces where individuals of all abilities can be seen, supported, and celebrated.
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