Mission Viejo, CA ­– Mission Hospital’s 2019 Holiday Gala, “Beyond the Limits,” was an enormous success — grossing nearly $3 million — thanks to hundreds of inspired community members, dozens of physician partners and its dedicated gala chairs: George O’Connell and Dr. Matthew Kaplan, Medical Director of Emergency Services at Mission Hospital and CHOC at Mission.

Proceeds from the sold-out event, held on Saturday, December 7 at the Monarch Beach Resort, will support the vital expansion of Mission Hospital’s Emergency Department, a project that will be fully funded by philanthropy.

More than 500 guests were moved by the inspirational patient stories of Wade Sundell and Lisa Foto. Wade, the reigning Saddle Bronc Riding World Champion at last summer’s Rancho Mission Viejo Rodeo, was crushed by a horse when it suddenly reared up.

“At first I thought I was okay,” Wade recalled. “I had no idea that my liver was lacerated and I needed immediate trauma care.” Dr. Peter Czuleger, the onsite Mission Hospital Emergency Medicine physician, saw the incident and encouraged Wade to go to Mission Hospital’s Trauma Center right away.

“Mission Hospital truly saved my life,” Wade shared. “When I arrived at the hospital, I was taken immediately into the operating room. My blood volume was replaced 1.5 times as Dr. Kushner repaired my severely damaged liver. I spent two weeks in a medically-induced coma and visited the operating room several more times, but ultimately, I woke up to see my beautiful girlfriend Shelby. And thanks to Mission Hospital, Shelby and I can watch our two-year old son grow up together. I can’t thank you enough.”

Wade’s inspiring story was followed by Lisa’s amazing account of hope and healing. Twelve years ago, Lisa survived a ruptured brain aneurysm. “On a severity scale of 1 to 10, my hemorrhage was a 10,” shared Lisa. “I was a patient at Mission Hospital for 52 days, and spent five weeks of that in a medically-induced coma in the surgical intensive care unit.”

She continues: “My recovery was the most challenging thing that I have ever faced, but thanks to Mission Hospital, I’ve made a complete recovery. Since then, I watched two of my three children get married and celebrated the births of all five of my grandchildren. I never would have known the joy of being a grandmother if Mission Hospital had not saved my life.”

Guests also enjoyed an exciting live auction, which included two front-row tickets to a Gwen Stefani concert, an exclusive meet-and-greet after the concert, two-night overnight accommodations at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, and transportation to Las Vegas in a private jet.

On behalf of the thousands of patients and families served at Mission Hospital every year, we extend our deepest appreciation to our premier Holiday Gala sponsors: The O’Connell Family, Mission Viejo Emergency Medical Association, Rancho Mission Viejo and Kevin and Patricia Moriarty.