The Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation's Annual Gold Dust Gala


For the most current information about the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation, a nonprofit, charitable organization with the basic mission of providing meaningful ways to educate the community regarding the service capabilities of Community Memorial Hospital; to work with the community to facilitate support of Community Memorial Hospital, and to raise funds for the development, operation and maintenance of programs and services,
go to: www.cmhfventura.org/index.html.

This was the official website for the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation's annual Gold Dust Gala. Information and tickets for the gala were available from this site. In 2015 there was a notice stating that a Gold Dust Gala had not been scheduled for 2015. The site's domain registration was allowed to expire. The new owner of the domain has decided to keep some of the content from the original site as a historical record and reminder of this very special event.
Proceeds from the Gold Dust Gala are used for breast cancer detection and treatment, cervical cancer screenings, and needed diagnostic equipment that benefits women in our community who lack access to life-saving exams. These services are provided by Community Memorial Health System.

The content below is from the site's 2012 - 2014 archived pages.

 

Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation Presents the GOLD DUST GALA
Information for the 2014Gold Dust Gala Coming Soon

2014 marked the last of the Gold Dust Galas.

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News Releases / 2013

Gold Dust Gala's 'For the Women We Love' on March 23

Camarillo, California, 02/11/2013

Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation's annual Gold Dust Gala is honoring The Women We Love - mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, and friends - the women who help shape our lives and who impact our lives in a profound way.

This year, The Gold Dust Gala will be held in Camarillo at the beautiful Serra Center at 5205 Upland Road. Doors open at 6 p.m. for Silent Auction bidding, cocktails, raffle, and tribute tree.  A dinner featuring Command Performance's Classic California Cuisine will be followed by the dance-inspiring music of "Platinum Groove."

For over two decades, the Gold Dust Gala has annually raised funds and awareness for the Healthy Women's Program. This unique program offers breast and cervical cancer screenings to women living in Ventura County who are unable to pay due to lack of insurance or are under-insured.

In 2012, the Healthy Women's Program assisted hundreds of women, specifically offering breast cancer education, screenings and treatment, as well as cervical cancer screenings and vaccinations. All of these services were covered by the Healthy Women's Program, which is funded by the Gold Dust Gala.

Kristen Webb is among the women benefitting from the Healthy Women's Program. The youngest of three sisters, Kristen was only 25 when she tested positive for the BRCA 1 mutation gene following her sister Victoria's breast cancer diagnosis. After a three-year fight, Victoria lost her battle when the disease metastasized to her liver. She died in 2010 at 28 leaving behind a heartbroken family.  A year and a half later, Kristen felt a lump and knew immediately what it was.

"I was mortified," Kristen recalled. "I had already lost my sister and I was so hoping I could get some things done in my life. One moment I'm thinking about school and the next I'm thinking about dying."A culinary student, Kristen lacked health insurance and wasn't sure what to do. Moreover, the horrible memory of the inexcusable way her sister was denied care by her insurance company because of her age haunted Kristen. It took Victoria months to get a mammogram and biopsy, followed by several more months to start chemotherapy.

Kristen was referred to the Breast Center at Community Memorial Hospital and was quickly seen.  On Sept. 12, 2011 – her late sister's birthday – Kristen's lump was biopsied and her worst fear was confirmed. The following day she met with surgeon Dr. Jim Woodburn; several days later, he performed a double mastectomy.

Thanks to the enormous generosity of individuals and businesses that support the Gold Dust Gala and help fund the unique, life-saving Healthy Women's Program – which does not deny care due to age – Kristen was able to be quickly seen and treated free of charge.

Today, a vibrant and vivacious Kristen is feeling fantastic. Her hair has grown back curly, she's received her associate degree in Culinary Arts and she's began the months-long breast reconstruction process. She's also volunteering with the Gold Dust Gala committee to help raise funds for the program.

"There's no time to sit around. I want to hold onto life so much." That includes hiking, traveling, baking a variety of confections, trying new restaurants with her girlfriend Lei … and now, looking forward to turning 30 in November.

Tickets and sponsorship packages may be purchased by calling the Foundation Office at (805) 667-2881.

Community Memorial Hospital is a member of Community Memorial Health System, a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital and twelve family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura, California

 



Kristen Webb's Story

 

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Gold Dust Gala’s “For the Women We Love” on May 12, 2012

Camarillo, California, 04/06//2012

Community Memorial Hospital Foundation’s annual Gold Dust Gala is honoring The Women We Love - mothers, daughters, sisters, grandmothers, aunts, and friends - the women who help shape our lives and who impact our lives in a profound way.

This year, The Gold Dust Gala will be held in Camarillo at the beautiful Serra Center at 5205 Upland Road.  With Rudabeh Shahbazi from ABC7 Eyewitness News as Mistress of Ceremonies, the evening will certainly be outstanding.

Doors open at 6pm for Silent Auction bidding, cocktails, raffle, and tribute tree.   A dinner featuring Command Performance’s Classic California Cuisine will be followed by the dance-inspiring music of “Platinum Groove.”

Tickets and sponsorship packages may be purchased on line at www.golddustgala.org or call the Foundation Office at 805.667.2881.

For over two decades, the Gold Dust Gala has annually raised funds and awareness for the Healthy Women’s Program.  This unique program offers breast and cervical cancer screenings to women living in Ventura County who are unable to pay due to lack of insurance or are under-insured.

In 2011, the Healthy Women’s Program assisted hundreds of women, specifically offering breast cancer education, screenings, and treatment, as well as with cervical cancer screenings and vaccinations.  All of these services were covered by the Healthy Women’s Program, which is funded by the Gold Dust Gala.

Community Memorial Hospital is a member of Community Memorial Health System, a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital and twelve family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health.  The health system is located in Ventura, California.

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Related: When my parents lived in Venture California they were big supporters of the Community Memorial Hospital and very much involved in the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports Community Memorial Hospital. About 10 years after my father died my mother and I decided it was time to move her closer to where I live on the East Coast. We chose the Hart Heritage Assisted Living facility in Forest Hills, Maryland, about a 20 minute drive from my home. I wan't sure how my mother would adapt to living in a home for seniors, but she actually loves it. She is still able to talk walks around the 6.5 acres of park-like grounds that surround the residence. Last week it was raining when I visited, so we spent the afternoon looking through her many photo albums and reminiscing. She has a number of pictures from various fund raising events put on by the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation including the Gold Dust Gala from 2014. I suggested we could take a look at the website for the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation to see what events they were holding this year.  On one hand she is delighted that the foundation is still so active in supporting the hospital. On the other hand she  said it was bitter sweet not being able to attend their functions like she and my dad use to.

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2014 Sponsors

LIFE SPONSOR
ZestNet

PROMISE SPONSOR
Arent Fox
Cumulus Media
Gold Coast Media
Hub International Ins. Svcs
Ventura Emergency Physicians
Chris D. Johnson, MD
Alexander Kowblansky, MD
Richard B. Browne, MD
Neil E. Canby, MD
Eric M. Fields, DO
Anthony C. Hernandez, MD
David L. Lebell, MD
Noah Levit, MD
Daniel S. Levy, MD
Jerome S. Maryniuk, MD 
Eric M. Moll, MD
Marc A. Reinoso, MD 
Jerry O. Waters, MD

COURAGE SPONSOR
ClearPoint Healthcare, Inc
E.J. Harrison & Sons, Inc
Ensign Group
Moss Adams
Ventura Anesthesia Medical Group
William A. Beuttler, MD
Gary P. Coppa, MD
Thomas E. Cummings, MD
Mark A. De Santis, MD
David C. Harris, MD
Dong W. Kim, MD
Kee Y. Lee, MD
Nelly K. Mac, MD
Stephen A. Maloon, MD
J. Paul Pena, MD
Rajender G. Reddy, MD
Manuel S. Reynosa, MD
Mark J. Richman, MD
Christopher D. Rom, MD
Harvey C. Shew, MD
Scott A. Thomas, MD
Theodore H. Tuschka, MD
Chung N. Wang, MD
Michael C. Ward, MD
Daniel A. Waxer, MD

SECURITY SPONSOR
Assisted Home Hospice 
Cabrilllo Radiation Oncology Center
Camarillo Acorn
Fausset Printing
David and Maryellen Glyer
Kaiser Permanente
Bill and Elise Kearney
Lifeline Medical Transport
Rabobank
Myron and Emilie Rayman
Shoreline Care Center
Ventura City Firefighters Association
Dr. Eric Wallace

HOPE SPONSOR
Barber Auto Group, Barbara Meister
David Bayer
Camarillo Healthcare District, Honoring Lynn Jones
Clinkenbeard, Ramsey, Spackman, and Clark, LLP
El Dorado Healthcare Consulting
Grossman Imaging
Lineage Logistics
Livingston Memorial VNA & Hospice
Pacific Breeze Chem Dry & PB Building Maintenance 
Ron and Barbara Rose
TWIW Insurance Services
Ventura County Star
Ed and Hilda Warren 
Gary & Cheryl Wilde
Dr. James and Kay Woodburn

SILENT AUCTION 
Allison's Country Cafe
Byron Estate Bottled & Produced
Cabrillo Music Theatre
Camarillo Skilled Home Health
Cambria Estate Vineyards & Winery
Coastal Skin Care
Diva "The Passion Boutique"
Epic Fitness Boot Camp
Foxfield Riding School
Glo Professional
Golf N' Stuff
Healthy Pet
House of Dance
Isensee Floorcovering Inc.
Island Packers
Jim Hall Kart Racing School
John of Italy
Let's Get Cookin
Lisa McFarlane Photography
Los Robles Homecare
Milano's Italian Restaurant
Museum of Ventura County
My Gym
Pasadena Playhouse
Physical Adventures
Pierpont Racquet Club
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Ruben Haynes Design
Salon Nani
Santa Anita Park
Seth Backus, Magician 
Sheila's Wine Bar
Shoreline Care Center
Snapper Jack's Taco Shack
Stephanie Elise Jewelry Design
The Olive Vineyard
The Wine Closet
TLC Housewares
Underwood Family Farms
Ventura Spaghetti Company
Vom Fass Westlake Village
Walgreens Infusion Services
Yolanda's Mexican Restaurant

GENERAL DONATION
Lisa Babashoff, MD
Donne R. Browne, MD
Roderick & Claire Carty
Kevin & Ann Drescher
Jordan Actuarial Services
Thomas & Adele Mahoney
Pednar Products, Sue & Art Narevsky
Pierpont Racquet Club
Pueblo Radiology Associates, Inc
Richard & Gayle Smith, honoring Tami Leckie
Ventura County Deputy Sheriff's Association

SPECIAL THANKS
The Amazing Gold Dust Gala Committee Members 
Shani Prieto
Renee Barnett 
Ric Ruffinelli and Duane Eells 
Our Wonderful Event Volunteers 
Ventura City Firefighters Association
The Serra Center
Command Performance Catering
Platinum Groove 
Los Robles Homecare Staff
DJ's Catering


 

GoldDustGala.org