Halloween Bash

2007 Event Photos

It was another night to remember for the NFED.

A new venue painted a beautiful backdrop for the amazing night that was the 2007 Halloween Bash. A former bank, “Capitale” in Chinatown provided a larger and more elegant space than other years for the more than 420 guests who came to support the Geismar family and the NFED

Hosted by Ruth and Keith Geismar and chaired by Alice and Bruce Geismar, this 7th Annual event raised more than $350,000 for the Foundation. Their son and grandson, Ryan, who is affected by Hay Wells syndrome, joined them in thanking guests for their support. Having been born with skin erosion on 70% of his body, nine-year-old Ryan is doing great.

Thirteen families from NFED participated in the event, by attending, helping with the silent auction, soliciting items and helping to decorate. Charles Richter once again charmed the audience as master of ceremonies and had some help from 11-year-old, Mac Ferris, who is also affected by hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia.

The committee did an exceptional job of soliciting more than 180 auction items including trips to Costa Rica and Lake Tahoe. The faces of children affected by ectodermal dysplasia appeared in a slide show throughout the evening. Guests were moved by the NFED’s new promotional film that highlighted NFED’s services and the impact it has on families.

In her comments the night of the Bash, Ruth reflected on hosting the Bash for seven years

“Ryan became a part of our family for a reason,” Ruth said. “If his success story will help other children affected by ectodermal dysplasia, then all that we have been through will have been worth it. I also know that all of the work that has gone into the last seven Halloween Bashes is worth it when you consider that after tonight, we will have raised 2.5 million dollars for the NFED.

“Because of the creation of the Halloween Bash and the resources it has provided the NFED, we are enabling dreams to come true at an amazing pace. More than 200 people have received financial assistance for dental care, 500 people have attended Family Conferences on NFED scholarships and the research program has expanded exponentially,” Ruth said. “In fact, scientists in Switzerland are close to a cure in treating the symptoms for the most common kind of ED. It is amazing to look at what has been accomplished in just a few short years.”

The NFED salutes the Geismar family, the committee, the ED families and the donors who made the Bash a tremendous success.

“There are no words to adequately describe the efforts put forth by the Geismar family and their committee for the Bash nor our appreciation for the extraordinary impact its success has on NFED efforts,” NFED’s Mary K. Richter said. “This single event is largely responsible for our research efforts and the treatment assistance program. Without it these programs would significantly decline if not disappear.”

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