On the Town: Guild’s Courage Awards honor Glendale Adventist Medical Center patients and staff
Marilyn Gunnell is a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother to 11 grandchildren and community volunteer. When cancer struck several years ago, Gunnell decided to fight back with a vengeance. At the same time, she let no responsibility falter.
It is her courage and leadership in battling cancer that brought her to the attention of members of the Glendale Adventist Medical Center Cancer Care Guild.
Gunnell and four others were given 2015 Courage Awards at a dinner last week. The woodsy Annandale Golf Club in Pasadena was the setting. Its well-appointed dining room had its mahogany polished to sheen.
Glendale’s glitterati gathered in a parlor reception room, as notables posed for photos in front of a well-lit banner. Among those were cancer patient honorees — Gunnell, Alexx Anne Rex and Mina Shirvanian. Oncologist Dr. Jerry Wada was the recipient of the Physician Courage Award. He posed with family members. Radiation therapist Trunita Crump-Knighton also had a chance to bathe in the limelight. She was the recipient of the Healthcare Professional Courage Award.
After the reception, Tina Parsegia, president of the Cancer Care Guild, welcomed more than 160 supporters to the sold-out dinner.
“Through the power of a positive attitude and the love and support of friends and family, we can face and fight cancer together with courage and hope”, Parsegian said. Having had family members touched by cancer, Parsegian knows of what she speaks.
Irene Bourdon, president of the Glendale Adventist Medical Center Healthcare Foundation, offered a blessing on the food. Diners enjoyed their option of salmon, chicken or a vegetable plate.
During dinner, guests were treated to a piano duet by Karina Yeproyan and Gayane Simonyan. A vocal solo was performed by Alene Aroustamian.
Following the entertainment, a live auction was presided over by Kevin Roberts, president of Glendale Adventist Medical Center. The live auction items went quickly. In spite of his success, Roberts said, “I’d rather manage a 500-bed hospital than do a live auction.”
Also available on a “Buy-It-Now” basis were bid sheets with amounts ranging from $100 to $500. Donations will provide cancer patients with free wigs and caps, support groups, activity classes, massages and counseling.
Also, bereavement support groups and workshops are available to family members to help them cope with loss. All donations are 100% deductible.
The heart of the program was the honorees accepting their Courage Awards.
Radiation therapist Crump-Knighton was first up. She was introduced by Dr. Sara Kim, medical director of the department of radiation oncology. Crump-Knighton said she “hit the trifecta” by growing up in a wonderful family, having a great husband and the perfect job at Glendale Adventist. Crump-Knighton received a standing ovation from the crowd.
Next to be introduced were the Patient Awards with Rex, Shirvanian, and Gunnell accepting. Gunnell had family members applauding the loudest. Accompanying her were husband, oncologist Dr. John Gunnell, sister-in-law Yvonne Smith, daughter Ingrid Gunnell and her son Gianni Higginbotham, 9. Also supporting mom was daughter Sarah Sumner; her daughter Gunnar Sumner; 7; and son Kaden Sumner, 5. Luck was on Kaden’s side. He won an afghan in the opportunity-prize drawing.
The award ceremony ended with the introduction and acceptance speech of Physician Award winner Dr. Wada, who served as Glendale Adventist’s Chief of Staff in 1990-91. This year, he was selected in the News-Press Readers’ Choice program as Glendale’s “Best Oncologist”. Although “retired,” Wada continues to practice on a limited schedule.
The Courage Awards dinner raises funds for the Cancer Center at Glendale Adventist Medical Center, which provides free support services to anyone with a diagnosis of cancer.
Marilyn Gunnell’s words provided a fitting coda to the evening, “It will get better,” she said.
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RUTH SOWBY RANDS may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.