Big Hearts for Little Hearts Desert Guild Host 2nd Lunch

The Big Hearts for Little Hearts Desert Guild hosted their second sellout event of the season benefiting Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital (LLUCH). The second of three Lunch & Learn Cooking Demonstrations took place at Hideaway Golf Club, Monday, Jan. 25. The sold out event welcomed over 100 guests who were entertained by the skills of the golf club’s restaurant’s executive chef, Brian Bennington, who prepared a three-course vanilla infused lunch. Guests started with butternut squash soup, followed by poached apple and vanilla stuffed breast of chicken, and ended on a sweet note with vanilla scented chocolate crème brûlée. Prior to the cooking demonstration, Adrian Lavery, MD, MPH, a neonatologist at LLUCH spoke to guests about the highly specialized neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at the hospital, which serves over 2,000 kids from the Coachella Valley annually. Lavery emphasized how imperative the support of the guild is to the patients treated at the hospital. “Thank you for making my job worthwhile,” he said. “The doctors and nurses at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital can't do what they do without the support of the Desert Guild.” Two Coachella Valley children who were recently treated by Lavery and his team at LLUCH were a testament to that specialized care. Nineteen-month-old twins, Callia and Matthew Castleberry, were treated in the NICU at LLUCH after being born two months prematurely. Prior to their birth, Matthew had had complications that affected his kidney, which ultimately led to their early delivery. Despite the challenges they faced, they are now healthy and active toddlers. Callia and Matthew spent two months and five months (respectively) in the NICU. The family shared their story with guests, expressing their gratitude to the medical team that cared for them and their children. “Our faith in God and the faith the doctors had in our family is why we are here today,” said Angelina Castleberry. “Through all the troubles, everyday is a good day. Our family breathed hope from the moment we walked in to Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.” Angelina and her husband Matthew were told their son’s prognosis was bleak with failed kidney functions, and the doctors did whatever was possible for their twins. Angelina added, “The time in the NICU was an incredible experience. The doctors and nurses are still our family and we visit often.” Matthew is still receiving dialysis four times a week. While their children were in the NICU, the Castleberry family learned about Big Hearts for Little Hearts Desert Guild and the resources they had donated to the hospital, such as the satellite pharmacy that provided medications for their children. At the conclusion of the event, Desert Guild president Terry Seigel thanked guests for attending, acknowledging that their participation benefits patients at LLUCH like Callia and Matthew. “They are living proof of what we do, Seigel said. “It’s the generosity of our members that allows the Guild to provide for the NICU at Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital.” The Desert Guild is committed to supporting the children at LLUCH by developing and supporting projects that address the critical needs of hospitalized children from the Coachella Valley and their families. The next Lunch & Learn Cooking Demonstration is Feb. 18 at Bellatrix Restaurant at Classic Club in Palm Desert. Tickets are $85 for members, and $100 for non members, register online at lluch.org/cookingdemo.