MELBOURNE | The Oesophageal Atresia Research Auxiliary (OARA) are holding their annual Gala Ball on 21 May 2016 and you’re invited. OARA was founded in 1980 to help families of both newborns and older patients with oesophageal atresia (OA), a disease affecting the oesophagus and stomach in infants. What’s OA exactly though? Well it’s is a congenital medical condition (birth defect) which affects the alimentary tract. It causes the esophagus to end in a blind-ended pouch rather than connecting normally to the stomach. Long story short, a child born with OA will have trouble breathing, will not be able to feed and is highly likely to develop pneumonia. Thankfully, the condition can be corrected with surgery. OARA’s purpose is to raise awareness of OA and to ensure that every child that is born with the condition (1 in 2500 births in Australia) has access to the life saving surgery they need.
The OARA Gala Ball is the headline fundraising event in OARA’s events calendar and from what we’ve heard it’s a lot of fun and full of inspiration. This year’s Gala Ball will be hosted by Dani Venn (OARA Ambassador, Master Chef former contestant & “The Wholehearted Cook”) and will feature speeches by Dr Michael Nightingale, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne (OARA Patron) & Dean Laidley (300 game AFL Player & Coach). Tickets are $150 per person or you can book a table of 10 for $1,300. Each ticket includes entry, a 3 course meal, beer, wine, soft drink and entertainment. You can book tickets online here.
OARA have done some amazing work over the year and helped countless of families and children to live fulfilling, healthy lives. We think it’s a fantastic cause that’s well worth supporting. If you can’t attend the Gala Ball but still want to support OARA you can find out more and donate here.
OARA Gala Ball 2016
When: Saturday 21 May 2016
Where: Maison. 35/37 Clarence Street, Elsternwick VIC 3185
Cost: $150 per person or you can book a table of 10 for $1,300