Click here for The Vancouver Sun’s photos from the event (I’ll have more to come at a later date).
It’s time to blog. Reading Jared Padalecki’s tweet from last night got the emotions rolling this afternoon (“Had an amazing experience tonight with onceuponacure.com. Thank u to the Purcell’s for their incredible bravery & honesty. I feel blessed.”). This is a guy I’ve never met before last night, who has thousands or millions of fans from his show Supernatural, who gets God knows how many requests for appearances, but who still showed up for our Once Upon a Cure Gala last night. And the rest of the special guests were the same.
Amanda Tapping came dress shopping with me, then came over the next day to drop off jewelry to go with the dress she helped me pick out. This after doing numerous interviews on our behalf to spread awareness about the gala and MPS II Hunter Syndrome and while she is busy with PR for the new season of Sanctuary about to start up. In addition to having a partner (who I’d like to get to know better one day, what a wonderful man) and child and ‘regular’ life stuff.
Jensen Ackles’ wife, Danneel, from One Tree Hill, followed me around so I could introduce her to my sister, who is a fan, and was honestly good with doing that (how many actors would do that?). I’d say something about Jensen, but he kind of makes you just… speechless (in addition to the fact that he’s a really down to earth and genuinely nice guy).
Ginny Goodwin and Josh Dallas just wanted to know: “When do we get to meet Trey?” Bring him to set for lunch, they said! Lana Parrilla came over to our table to say hi to Ryan and introduce herself and Jared Gilmore to me. What a thoughtful and kind act. Robert Carlyle showed up even though he’s an incredibly private person.
Edward Kitsis, writer and producer from Lost and executive producer from Once Upon a Time, dropped (among other things) $1000 for a one day pass for two people to the Vancouver Aquarium (valued at $62).
Executive producer from Once Upon a Time, Steve Pearlman, and his awesome wife Debby, are responsible for finding our Once Upon a Cure Gala and getting Once Upon a Time involved. Debby also flew up from California to attend the gala with Steve.
Peter & Anne Marie DeLuise (who we got to spend lots of time with because they loitered until the end 
) are absolutely fabulous. REALLY funny and smart.
Christopher Heyerdahl gave me the best bear hug, in addition to donating to our online auction, which raised over $20,000. One half of a research grant.
Ryan Robbins, with his girlfriend Karyn Baltzer, tweeted and re-tweeted about our gala leading up to the event and donated to our online auction and showed up to the event looking amazing. They are becoming friends, they have done so much and gotten so involved in our cause (they’ve always been friends of Ryan’s, I just never met him until a few monthes ago).
Julia & Peter Benson came and I know they have our backs for good. Touches my heart. I also met Christine Chatelain, Jen Spence & Paul McGillion for the first time, which was very cool.
Robin Dunne, after all the talk, did not take his pants off. But he did look darned good with them on.
Never got to meet Jennifer Morrison, but saw her across the room. Also never got to say thank you to Damian Kindler, creator of Sanctuary, for coming.
One of our volunteers, who has also volunteered at conventions, commented that this gala was relaxed. Formal in what you had to wear, but Jensen and Jared weren’t surrounded by 6 security guards and Amanda, Robin & Ryan weren’t sitting at a head table twenty feet away. There wasn’t a line up to get a picture or autograph. It was a small and intimate space. People got to hang out and mingle. The whole thing was honestly surreal. That this many people who get this many requests, all showed up at our Gala, was nothing short of awesome.
And that’s not to take away from all the family and friends, old and new guests who came. Kid Carson & Amy Beeman were hilarious and entertaining, as always. Dr. Paul Moxham made us laugh even though he was talking about a rare and progressive disease that affects kids. Simon Ibell and Will Blunderfield inspired. Dirty Radio rocked the house. DJ CWikii kept the party going. The Cupcakes were beautiful and FABULOUS. The Mad Hatter, Alice, Red Queen & contortionist were astonishing.
Thank you to everyone who came and sponsored, volunteered, donated, bid, got involved. Ryan and I are grateful to the depths of our bodies and souls for all your support. It is you who are helping us find a cure for MPS II Hunter Syndrome. It is you who gives us hope. Thank you for that. I don’t know what we’d do without you.
Love Deb
PS. I don’t yet have final tallies for how much we made, but I will blog when I do.