Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) recently issued the following announcement.
Hoteliers make it their business to prioritize the needs of their hotel guests. AAHOA Lifetime Members Tina Patel and Parimal Patel know that helping people feel special and cared for doesn’t start or end with five-star room service. Parimal leads a career in hotel investments, and Tina empowers and supports people through her nursing job. This husband-and-wife team leveraged their expertise in the hospitality and medical field to start a charity, helping cancer patients and their families.
It all began when Tina was 23 years old. At that time, she worked as a nurse at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, one of the largest pediatric cancer centers in the country. Children from Georgia and across the country come to Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center seeking treatment to fight and beat cancer. Treatment often includes surgery, radiation, and aggressive medications. More than medical or financial, there is an emotional side to cancer. Love and social support can go a long way in helping cancer patients and family members cope with difficult, complex emotions.
Unfortunately, some parents are unable to travel and stay in Atlanta for the duration of their child’s medical care. Tina saw first-hand how some of her young patients braved cancer treatments alone at the pediatric cancer center. Those heartbreaking situations led Tina, with the support of her husband Parimal, to start a nonprofit called Share the Love in 2018. The goal is to help with the financial strain experienced by family members with children at the cancer center. The non-profit raises money to cover travel expenses, hotel accommodations, meals, financial assistance for prescriptions, and social services for cancer patients and their families.
Share the Love has hosted four casino-themed galas since 2018. The fundraising event is a formal evening full of dancing, delicious food, and casino games, all for a good cause. Tina executes a lot of the organization’s vision and gala logistics, and Parimal is instrumental in helping with fundraising and sponsorship.
This year, Share the Love gala event sold 335 tickets and raised $80,000. That’s a $10,000 increase from the $70,000 raised in 2020. Although the gala was canceled in 2021 due to COVID-19, Tina and Parimal are thankful they were able to make the event happen this year.
Share the Love has garnered significant sponsorship support from businesses and community members, including AAHOA Members from the metro-Atlanta area. Thanks to donations and sponsorships, Share the Love can help cover travel and lodging expenses so families can face the challenges of cancer together.
Original source can be found here.
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