Since Morgan Pierce was diagnosed with stage-four neuroblastoma more than five years ago, she and her family have been battling for survival. Plant City has rallied around the family with different events to help them from 5K runs, family fun days, a Blueberry Festival pageant and more.
Now, the Pierces want to help other families in the same situation.
“I wanted to give back, because so many people in the community have given to us,” said Morgan’s mother, Emily.
The family will host the first Sweet Hearts Gala, in conjunction with Jensen’s Heart of Gold Foundation, on Saturday, May 17, at Keel and Curley Winery. Proceeds from the event will help other local families battling cancer.
The Pierces met the founders of the foundation, Lynn and Melissa Byrd, in New York, where the Pierces were receiving treatment for Morgan. Their son, Jensen Daniel Byrd, was being treated for the same diagnosis.
He didn’t make it. He died in 2010.
The foundation holds a variety of events such as the Sweet Hearts Gala.
“Their mission is to help local families and research,” Pierce said. “It’s a path for families to receive assistance through an organization.”
The gala will feature a light dinner and dancing at Keel and Curley’s idyllic setting.
“Joe Keel has been very, very generous in letting this gala happen and facilitating it,” Pierce said. “He and his family have been so, so wonderful.”
The gala also will include a live auction, with high-end items, such as beauty baskets, designer handbags, coffee baskets, a golf package, Tampa Bay Lightning hockey perks and more. Bourbon and Boweties has donated items for a special key raffle, in which participants can buy a key. If it unlocks the package, then they win the jewelry. Origami Owl has also designed a one-of-a-kind necklace for auction just for the gala. Entertainment will include youth pop group NRG and progressive country duo Dock 7. After the auction, a deejay will bring down the dance floor.
There are 200 tickets available. Pierce hopes to sell them all. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at jensensheartofgold.com or keelandcurlerywinery.com.
Proceeds will go to help families locally. They can fill out a hardship application to receive assistance. The only stipulations are that they must be local and have a child seeing a pediatric oncologist.
“I know how hard it is to go through this,” Pierce said. “It’s a financial struggle — no matter what stage in life you’re in. I know several local families that could benefit, but there’s other families out there I don’t know of and want them to apply.”
For an application to receive assistance, visit jensens heartofgold.com.
“There are families here battling,” she said. “And we can help them.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
Sweet Hearts Gala
WHEN: 7 p.m. Saturday, May 17
WHERE: Keel and Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road
TICKETS: $75; available at jensensheartofgold.com or keelandcurlerywinery.com
INFO: Black-tie optional, live auction, heavy hors d’oeuvres, dessert and drinks, dancing
WHO IT HELPS
Proceeds from the Sweet Hearts Gala will go to local families battling cancer. To complete a hardship application to receive assistance visit jensensheartofgold.com.
The only stipulations are that they must be local and have a child seeing a pediatric oncologist.