Gala 2021

Streamed on YouTube, event celebrated science and life

An exciting night, marked by reflections on humanity’s fight against the coronavirus, by stories of overcoming and by a lot of solidarity. This was the edition of the Pequeno Príncipe Gala 2021 – 10 years: celebrating science and life, still held virtually on October 22, a special month for the institution as it is the period in which Children’s Day, the Doctor’s Day and Pequeno Príncipe’s 102nd birthday are celebrated. “It is a month in which we are happy to celebrate and honor our history, the lives of our little patients and medical professionals, so important to the excellence of the work we do,” emphasized the executive director of the Hospital, Ety Cristina Forte Carneiro.

Impact of COVID-19 on Brazilian children
The pandemic has already killed more than 600,000 people in Brazil. More than 2,200 were children under 10 years old. More than 900 were up to 5 years old. In the United States, of a total of 650,000 deaths, 113 were children under 5 years old. These numbers indicate that Brazil lost almost eight times more children at this age to COVID-19 than the United States. “These numbers cannot remain invisible. They need to be understood, given voice and action. Let’s remember that we are here for a purpose: to guarantee children the right to life,” highlighted Ety.

Participation and tributes
The 2021 Gala featured special guest appearances. Philanthropic supporters Daniele Giacomazzi Behring and Amalia Spinardi Thompson Motta thanked all project supporters for their engagement. “The cause of child health is a topic that touches my heart. To each member of the committee that helps us make this event possible, I thank you very much,” declared Amalia.

Daniele highlighted the value of science in the face of the health crisis. “We must recognize that what little we are achieving on a path to normality is thanks to science. This is how we learn the value of science, research and public health for all. Thank you to all of you for connecting to a solidary plot and for your continued contribution to the cause of children’s health. This is how we humanize ourselves,” she stressed.

Another highlight of the night was the tributes. The scientific director of the Pelé Pequeno Príncipe Research Institute, Bonald Cavalcante de Figueiredo, received the scientific honor. In addition to him, the couple Sérgio Gordilho and Fernanda Valente, who for many years have supported the Pequeno Príncipe by donating their time and talent to the production of advertising pieces and films that enchant and touch everyone who has the opportunity to interact with this content, were also honored.

Cuisine
One of the hallmarks of Pequeno Príncipe Gala is the participation of chef Claude Troisgros. In the second year of the virtual event, chef Claude welcomed director Ety Cristina in his home kitchen, for a tasty chat about the impact of the pandemic on everyone’s lives, about the power of food to gather and comfort in the most challenging moments, and about his relationship with the cause of children’s health. “I’m already thrilled. It makes me feel good to know that there are good people like you from Pequeno Príncipe,” said the chef.

In a video, which was shared with the participants of the Gala, he showed the step by step of a very special recipe: nori salmon with oriental rice and satay sauce. And he even invited chef Daniel Boulud to also teach the preparation of another delicious dish: cauliflower and apple soup with curry, saffron and coconut milk.

Resilience
One of the most emotional moments of the night was the participation of the Pequeno Príncipe’s assistant  technical director, doctor Victor Horácio de Souza Costa Junior. He presented an overview of how Pequeno Príncipe adapted to serve all children – with or without COVID-19 – who needed care in the almost two years of the pandemic, and also shared the story of patient Miguel, who was hospitalized for 40 days, being 17 in the ICU, to recover from COVID-19. To know Miguel’s story, click here.

Musical performance
The Pequeno Príncipe Gala 2021 ended with a performance by musician Vitor Kley, especially for the event. In voice and guitar style, the Latin Grammy nominee presented his main hits, closing the night with a flourish.