February 15, 2011

The Art of Friendship

WHO:

Creekbend Classic Rock Band, artists, and YOU

WHAT:

Silent Art Auction and Live Music by Creekbend Classic Rock Band

WHEN:

Saturday night, April 7, 2012

6:00 to 9:30 p.m.

WHERE:

Psycho Gym

2550 Elm St.

Dallas, TX 75226

WHY:

Help raise money for HelpHopeLive in honor of kidney transplant patient Monaliza Morris.

Art and music make the world a better place. And now, you can, too.

Join us at Psycho Gym on Saturday night, April 7, 2012, from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m., for a silent auction and live music event benefiting Monaliza Morris, a near and dear member of the Dallas art community, who has undergone a live donor kidney transplantation. 

About the Event

Local Dallas artists have generously donated their artwork for an impressive collection available through a silent art auction — and you’ll also find gift cards donated by local restaurants, ATT Performing Arts Center and more. While the auction is silent, the party will be rocking with live music from Creekbend Classic Rock Band. Plus, enjoy appetizers and alcoholic (& nonalcoholic) beverages to make the evening festive. All proceeds will benefit a special fund established for Monaliza by the helpHOPELive (formerly National Transplant Assistance Fund (NTAF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping transplant patients pay for medical expenses.

About Monaliza

For the past nineteen years, Monaliza has been struggling with lupus nephritis, an immune system disease that has weakened her kidneys, required countless surgeries and four rounds of chemotherapy which drastically reduced her kidney function. She’s worked hard to stay healthy and fight the disease, but over the past year, her kidney function dropped drastically. On March 3, 2011, Monaliza underwent a live donor kidney transplant. Throughout all of this, Monaliza has continued to work full time; volunteered for the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, Empty Bowls of Dallas and Fort Worth, and the DSVC Portfolio Show for advertising students; despite mounting medical bills and living expenses. Her courage and strength are inspiring. Unfortunately, kidney transplantation is a very expensive surgery, requiring clinic visits, doctor’s fees, and medications that Mona will need for the rest of her life. Many of these expenses are not covered by insurance; and that’s why a fundraising campaign has been established through helpHOPElive, in Monaliza’s honor.

Kidney Sisters

If your best friend, sister, brother, parent or child became sick, and the only way to save their life was to donate one of your own organs, what would you say? Would you risk your health to save someone you love — or would you hope that someone else would step up to the plate? It’s a tough decision, even for a loved one. But when Jenny Vann heard about her best friend, Monaliza’s need for a kidney transplant, she volunteered her healthy kidney without hesitation. To Jenny, it was just what best friends do. 

“I was asked by someone if I thought that giving Monaliza my kidney would bring us closer together as friends,” Jenny said. “I thought about it for a while. I came to the conclusion that we're already as close as two friends could be. I love Monaliza very much, and I'm just glad that I can do something for her that is going to keep her healthy.” Click here to read more about Monaliza and Jenny and donate online. 

We’re not asking for your kidney — just your presence! Please join us for this fun and very worthwhile event. RSVP to themonaliza@yahoo.com

February 24, 2011

Advocate video: Oak Cliff artist gets best friend’s kidney, fundraiser planned

oakcliff.advocatemag.com

February 24, 2011

Woman Donates Kidney to Best Friend of 20 Years

"I love her with all of my heart and one kidney."

www.nbcdfw.com

February 24, 2011

Woman Donates Kidney to Best Friend of 20 Years

By Susy Solis

NBC Dallas-Fort Worth

www.nbcdfw.com