Almost $450,000 raised for Autism Services and Uncompensated Care at Seattle Children’s Hospital through Annual Gala and 38th Festival of Trees

The Partnership for a Spectrum of Care, a collaboration between Seattle Children’s Autism Center Guild and the Dr. Forrest L. Flashman Guild for uncompensated care, recently hosted their Annual Gala and kickoff of the 38^th Festival of Trees. With former Seattle Sounder FC player and local celebrity Steve Zakuani as honoree, the event was a great success raising almost $450,000. Top auction items included two trips to Bali, the Seatown Christmas Tree (themed with Seattle sports teams) and two unique experiences donated by, and with, former Sounders players Steve Zakuani and Roger Levesque.

                                     

“This year’s gala was magical on so many levels,” said Annual Gala and Festival of Trees co-chairs Julie O’Brien and Linda Mullin. “Having Steve Zakuani, Margaret Lawson, CEO of Seattle Children’s Hospital Dr. Jeff Sperring and many others in attendance to help raise funds for autism services and uncompensated care was the best way to kick off the 2015 holiday season. We look forward to continuing to share the holiday spirit by having many visitors come visit the Festival of Trees through December 2^nd at the Fairmont Olympic Hotel in Seattle.”

About the Dr. Forrest L. Flashman Guild

For almost 40 years, the Dr. Forrest L. Flashman Guild has been made up of compassionate, dedicated and philanthropic-minded volunteers whose goal it is to make medical care possible for all children in the Pacific Northwest through Seattle Children’s Hospital. The purpose of the guild is to raise funds through the annual holiday celebration known as the Festival of Trees that supports the hospital’s mission of providing care to all children in our region, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Now in its 38^th year, the guild has raised in excess of $11 million for uncompensated care.  www.seattlefestivaloftrees.com

About the Autism Center Guild

The Autism Center Guild was formed in 2009 to help increase awareness about autism and its impact on children and their families while raising money to expand the Seattle Children’s Autism Center’s clinical services and recruiting top clinic practitioners.

Since opening, and with the need for autism diagnosis and clinical services on the rise, the Center provides clinical services that include state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment approaches, behavioral therapy, and social skills. Researchers work hand-in-hand with clinicians who partner with national and international experts to advance the understanding of autism’s causes and potential cures.  www.seattleautismguild.org