Conan O’Brien Headlines Comedy Fundraiser for HA
The Hydrocephalus Association’s mission to find a cure and improve lives got a major boost on April 11 when comedy powerhouse Conan O’Brien headlined our 2nd Annual “In Stitches: A Night of Laughs” comedy event. Four hundred people attended the sold out show, held at the Avalon Hollywood in Los Angeles, raising over $300,000 for hydrocephalus research, support and education programs.
Guests were treated to a performance by Conan, joined by Moses Storm and Taylor Tomlinson, stand-up comedians who have appeared on the CONAN show. Actor Max Greenfield, who stars in the CBS comedy The Neighborhood and appeared in a PSA for HA’s #NOMOREBS campaign, also took the stage to share his personal connection to hydrocephalus through the diagnosis of his close friend’s daughter. He also introduced Olivia Maccoux, who co-starred in the PSA with him. Maccoux shared her personal story of resilience after enduring 147 brain surgeries to manage hydrocephalus.
During the event, HA also honored Dr. J. Gordon McComb, of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. McComb is a beloved neurosurgeon in the hydrocephalus community and has cared for patients for more than 50 years!
“Our 2nd annual In Stitches event was truly a magical night. Conan O’Brien and the other comedians were incredible and we are so grateful to them for helping us raise much-needed dollars for our cause,” said Diana Gray, HA’s President and CEO. “Of course, the evening would not have been possible without our incredible committee, co-chaired by board members Jennifer Pope and Sheryl Rosenberg, who were instrumental in organizing the event.”
In addition to great comedy, the event included a Fund-a-Cure segment, where members of the audience could text in a donation, as well as an exciting silent auction organized by Auction Chair Julie Jennison.
“In Stitches, a Night of Laughs” was sponsored by Hulu and TBS who were platinum sponsors. Our gold sponsors included Awesomeness, CBS, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, The Gersh Agency, L.A. Kings, Sony and Southern Wine & Spirits. Special thanks to all of our generous table sponsors: CAA, Feinberg Family Foundation, The Finlayson Family, Sheryl and Billy Rosenberg, UTA, and Farrah and Brett Weitz.
