On Wednesday, December 18, 2024, in Chişinău, Hospices of Hope Moldova, with the support of VIP Magazin, hosted an exceptional event dedicated to bringing hope and comfort to those battling incurable diseases - Winter Charity Gala.
This memorable evening gathered over 370 guests, including the General Mayor of Chişinău, the British Ambassador, the Romanian Ambassador, other representatives of the Diplomatic Corps, international supporters, and representatives of private companies from the Republic of Moldova. The atmosphere was one of solidarity and generosity, in the name of hope for those more vulnerable than us.
For the first time, the guest of honor was Prince Nicolae of Romania, the grandson of King Michael:
“I am very pleased to be here. The last time I widowed Chişinău was 10 years ago, and I see very positive changes. This is thanks to all of you, and I congratulate you on these improvements. Dear team at Hospices of Hope Moldova, I commend you for all that you do. It has been a joy to see how you work with patients and, and most importantly, to see how happy they are with you. This shows you are doing a fantastic job, making them feel well and at ease, even during such critical and significant moments in their lives. I have supported Hospices of Hope since 2017, and I am so glad I made that decision. The true value of a society is how it cares for its vulnerable members. I urge everyone to support Hospices of Hope Moldova so that we can create a united community and raise the quality of life, not just for ourselves but also for those in need of our help.”
The speeches of the evening highlighted the profound impact of Hospices of Hope Moldova’s activities. Her Excellency Fern Horine, British Ambassador to Chișinău, remarked:
“The British Embassy is well aware of Hospices of Hope Moldova’s activities, and we are honored to support them. Hospices of Hope Moldova not only brings hope to those with terminal illnesses and their families but also provides tailored assistance for each case, transforming the healthcare system and societal perceptions of terminal illnesses. These efforts are carried out with professionalism, dedication, and, most importantly, with respect and care for every patient. Creating a specialized medical team for pediatric palliative care is a significant milestone for the organization. I encourage you to support not just this project but all the activities of Hospices of Hope Moldova.”
This year’s Gala aimed to strengthen and expand free pediatric palliative care services by establishing a dedicated team for children suffering from incurable diseases across the country. Graham Perolls, Founder of Hospices of Hope, emphasized:
“First, I would like to thank you for the opportunity to support Hospices of Hope Moldova. I have only a few important words to say: ‘Chișinău needs an inpatient hospice.’ Hospices of Hope Moldova provides free home palliative care, but we urgently need an inpatient unit for patients. I want to thank the entire Hospices of Hope Moldova team for their daily efforts and hard work. I deeply appreciate everyone’s intention to attend this event. Illness does not choose, and unfortunately, none of us knows whether we will face such a grim diagnosis. I urge you to stand by Hospices of Hope Moldova to take the next step toward a new level of palliative care with an inpatient unit.”
From the national authorities, the General Mayor of Chișinău, Mr. Ion Ceban, delivered an impactful message:
“It is good to help people who are disadvantaged in one way or another, no matter the cause. I want to congratulate you on this noble intention to unite the economic and business components with social responsibility. I am sure that those present in this room do good deeds not only on special occasions but every day.”
The event also featured both live and silent auctions. One particularly exceptional item was generously donated by Olympic athletes who competed at the Paris Olympic Games: a jersey worn by Anastasia Nichita and competition backnumbers from Denis Vieru and Adil Osmanov. We are deeply grateful for their generosity and willingness to support our cause!
The event raised €35,000, which will significantly contribute to providing free medical, psychological, and social support to the beneficiaries of Hospices of Hope from five regions of the country: Chișinău, Orhei, Soroca, Ocnița, and Taraclia. Veronica Dragnev-Sacara, Country Manager of Hospices of Hope Moldova, remarked:
“I am delighted to see so many beautiful and successful people here to celebrate hope. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the VIP Magazin team and Rodica Ciorănică for supporting Hospices of Hope Moldova through this Gala of Excellence, celebrated by the country’s business community. Our organization is grateful for the opportunity to connect with each of you, and we hope to build partnerships for the benefit of those who feel invisible at home, bedridden by illness, and whose families feel like prisoners, not knowing how to handle the situation. In these moments, our team—made up of doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, and physiotherapists—steps in to help. Even though these individuals suffer from incurable diseases, our team, whom I can genuinely call ‘angels,’ brings them hope for life. As a result, our patients live longer and with a greater love for life.”
Hospices of Hope Moldova thanks you for your support and generosity. Together, we can bring light and hope to the darkest moments in the lives of those suffering from terminal illnesses. Let’s continue to be the change this world needs!
The Gala would not have been possible without the joint effort of partners, sponsors, and volunteers: VIP Magazin, Sigma VenMer, Sandra, Iute Moldova, ASICS, Olga Stegărescu, Aquaterra, StarNet, Grawe Carat, Juliet Rose, Zenonni, Scentara, Serenite, Privato Dress, Nicoleta Stati, Anastasia Nichita, Denis Vieru, Adil Osmanov, Fautor Winery, Enigma, Rodica Nicov, Alex Iordache, and Cricova Winery.
Photo credit: Ruslan Chihai
