With a virtual edition, the Pequeno Príncipe Gala 2020 celebrates courage, hope and solidarity

Held on the evening of November 18th, the Pequeno Príncipe Gala 2020 – A Journey of Hope connected solidarity and positive experiences in favor of children’s health. Totally virtual because of the pandemic of coronavirus (COVID-19) and streamed through the YouTube channel of the Pequeno Príncipe Complex, the event reinforced the importance of the support of the whole society to transform and save the lives of the children and adolescents assisted at the institution.

Under the command of the executive director of the Pequeno Príncipe Hospital, Ety Cristina Forte Carneiro, the event began with a tribute to the health professionals who are in the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. “The year 2020 brought the world a huge challenge: to face a pandemic caused by an unknown virus and for which there is still no known vaccine or treatment. Social distancing has taken the place of hugs and kisses in our manifestations of care and affection. Our heroes are now inside hospitals and laboratories, saving lives and seeking the way to overcome the problem,” she emphasized.

The Pequeno Príncipe Gala 2020 counted on the presence of philanthropic supporters Daniele Giacomazzi Behring and Amalia Spinardi Thompson Motta, who raise the awareness of new supporters for philanthropy on behalf of the whole care of children and adolescents all over the country. Through QR codes, throughout the celebration, it was possible to make donations to the institution – both in Brazil and in the United States.

Overcoming
To reinforce the feelings of courage, hope, and overcoming that the Pequeno Príncipe is keen to praise during this very difficult year, gastroenterologist Jocemara Gurmini, from the Pequeno Príncipe, shared with the audience the story of little Laura, from Belém, capital of the state of Pará. Right at birth, she had a complication and lost about 90% of her small intestine in a surgery. Assisted in another hospital, the family had no expectation of a cure for the little girl. Referred to the Pequeno Príncipe’s Intestinal Rehabilitation Service, the family found the appropriate treatment – and after a year of hospitalization, receiving care from a multidisciplinary team, the child went home fully rehabilitated.

Gastronomy
One of the trademarks of the traditional Pequeno Príncipe Gala is the menu served at the dinners, always prepared by internationally renowned chefs, under the curatorship of the event’s patron, chef Claude Troisgros. This year, Troisgros participated in the event in a different way. In a chat with director Ety, the chef pointed out how difficult the year has been for everyone. “Let’s hope that everything gets better. I think positive all the time, I believe very much in the future. For sure, 2021 will be much better for all of us. Keep supporting and helping the children assisted by the Pequeno Príncipe,” he said.

He also prepared a surprise for the public: since it was impossible to have a dinner, Troisgros organized the step-by-step of a French moqueca, which combines chicken and fish, as a way to thank the supporters.

Tribute
For over 100 years, the Pequeno Príncipe Hospital has been cultivating, with determination and courage, hope in research, science, medicine, and love. At the 2020 Gala, the great honoree of this edition was the immunologist and researcher Carolina Prando, who is also the director of Translational Medicine at the Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute and is ahead of several studies in search of accurate treatments against the coronavirus. “It is a great honor to be here with you tonight. This work is only possible because Pequeno Príncipe believes in science as a potential transformer of lives,” she evaluated.

Musical attraction
Partner of the Hospital, the actor and singer Tiago Abravanel performed in a special pocket show to close the 2020 edition of the Pequeno Príncipe Gala. “Thank you for your presence and for the support to guarantee the continuity of this very special work carried out by the Pequeno Príncipe,” highlighted the artist. The presentation included hits such as “Toda Forma de Amor”, by Lulu Santos, and “Gostava Tanto de Você”, by Tim Maia.