“Finally,” I thought; “a condition to which I have no chance of succumbing.”  I mean, of all the medical situations in which I could possibly find myself (and I’m a walking, talking health crisis), not being able to get pregnant just wasn’t something that I ever thought would touch my life.

First of all, there’s the whole not-having-a-uterus thing (which is a big part of it).  Also, Jacob and I decided early on that kids were not part of who we are as a couple.  What I never took into account, however, was the possibility that this condition could (or would) affect those close to me.  Sure enough, it has.  (Hmmm – I guess I really DO make everything about me; but I digress…)

So, when my darling Vanessa Breitling (for whom I would do just about anything), told me about how her trouble conceiving her two beautiful daughters led to her work championing a Las Vegas chapter of The Pregnancy Foundation (a national organization “created to support the development of research and clinical skills in Maternal-Fetal Medicine), and their first annual fundraiser, Hope is Born; I told her to sign me up.

More of a cocktail party with a great auction than your run-of-the-mill benefit, the affair took place in the new Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Saloon, located on the mezzanine level of Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.  I love an event that runs like a well-oiled machine, and this was just such an occasion.  People arrived, were checked-in, rode the escalator upstairs, checked their coats, signed-in for the silent auction on their mobile phones via AuctionsByCellular, perused the auction, bid (when so desired), mingled, cocktailed, chatted with friends, watched a brief presentation, watched a short performance by the Pussycat Dolls, took part in the live auction, listened to a bit of stand-up comedy, watched some March Madness (on the side of the room), collected/paid for their auction items, said their farewells, and hit the road – all in under three hours.

The room was filled with plenty of familiar faces, many of whom you can see in the photos in the slideshow, above.  Besides, this way I sidestep what Billy Richardson has been predicting for years – that one of these days I’m simply going to do a column consisting solely of names in bold-face type and a bunch of commas.

Between the silent and live auctions, ticket sales, sponsorships and donations, the evening raised roughly $150,000 – and that’s nothing to sneeze at!

This might have been the first Hope is Born benefit, but I’m confident in telling you that it won’t be the last.

First Annual ‘Hope is Born’ Benefit
The Pregnancy Foundation of Las Vegas
Pussycat Dolls Burlesque Saloon – Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino
Thursday, March 15th

Get into it!