Normally the scene of New Orleans Saints games, the Essence Festival and concerts, Caesars Superdome was for one night only transformed into a starry setting for the 11th annual Moonlight and Miracles Gala, presented by the Gayle and Tom Benson Foundation on Nov. 3.
Guests could mingle on the field enjoying the ambiance — being on the turf is awe-inspiring — before the night’s program of dinner and drinks by Sodexo; live music by Rachel Van Voorhees, FRIZÉ and Blue Rhythm; a Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 raffle and a “wine spin.”
At the event, Ochsner Health honored Miracle Makers, which it does every year, for their continued commitment to the Ochsner Cancer Institute. The 2023 honorees included Suma Reddy Satti, MD, head and neck medical oncologist with the Ochsner Cancer Institute, the John Curtis Christian School and the Curtis family. Surgical oncologist John Bolton, MD, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his 41 years of dedication and practice of medicine.
The Moonlight and Miracles telethon was also filmed during the gala and aired on WVUE Fox 8 on Sunday, Nov. 12, after the Saints game. The telethon featured inspiring stories from patients and providers, giving insight into how the Ochsner Cancer Institute changes and saves lives daily.
Rob Krieger of WVUE Fox 8 was the host of the gala while Lori Ochsner and Mark Romig guided the telethon.
Chaired by Gayle Benson, more than $1.5 million was raised to support the patients and programs of the Ochsner Cancer Institute.
For more than 80 years, Ochsner has been dedicated to cancer research and new cancer therapy development, bringing innovations to treatment with more clinical trials than anywhere else in Louisiana.
Fun Fact: Moonlight and Miracles celebrated Gayle Benson serving as event chair for the past 10 years, 2013-2023. Over the past 10 years the event has raised $20 million for the institute.
