FiestA For FA a Success
Photos by: John Ellis Kordes

Peter Coll, Lois Tighe, Nancy Coll and Roger Tighe.

Fanconi Anemia presents many hurdles to overcome and at times we truly need our friends. In Garden City, a group of 40 friends came together to form the My Best Friend committee and host the first ever "Cinco de Mayo FestA for FA" fundraiser.

On May 5th, a perfect spring evening set the mood for a festive tent party, with gorgeous hand-made decorations, strolling mariachis, catered hors d'oeuvres with a south of the border theme, and patron specialty margaritas and mojitos. The live and silent auctions included prizes which could only be described as "priceless," generously donated and won by Best Friends.

Fittingly, Cinco de Mayo is a holiday that celebrates life and triumphing against the odds. The FiestA's huge success - 380 guests attended and enjoyed a great time, and $150,000 was raised for research for the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund - illustrates the power of friendship and the enormity of Garden City's residents' hearts.

Anne Carter and Kathleen Kelsh.

Lois Tighe, Cathy Cavanaugh, Jan McDonough and Roberta Cerwinski. Kristine Burke. Suzanne Bautch, Bobby Burke, Dan Bautch and Kiera Burger. Nick Lane and Holly Falk with Kathy and Ian Paisley. Aileen Pappas, Steve Jones, Christine Tiedemann and Melissa LeBlanc. Kathleen Flynn, Ann Marie Abate, Kathleen Sweeney, Karen Carney and Greta Besendorfer. Kathleen Donnelly, Tara Segarra, Chris Digan, Britta Garcia and Beth Mercadante. Tom and Alison Paisley. Carole Wurster and Shelly Mitchell. Pier Luigi Tolaini and Bob Krener. Judy and Ed Alzner. Joy Kohart and Steve Jones Nelson and Sandy DeMille. Sheila Heslin with her parents, Mary & Steve Jones. Greg McManus, Mike Giedemann and Andy LeBlanc. Mary, Bob, and Cristina Krener. Merrill &Craig Biscone with Sandy DeMille. Auctioneer Jim Falk and Greg Leder. Eileen Ambach, Katie Rovers and Mary Flanagan.