Photos: Blingo to CureDuchenne from disco ball, to bling to Ed Rendell

May 15, 2014 by HughE Dillon

CureDuchenne,
a nonprofit that raises awareness and funds research to find a cure for
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, hosted it’s first Blingo to CureDuchenne event on May 3 at 7.30pm at the Hyatt Regency. Presented by Bernie Robbins and Thrive Gaming LLC, Blingo
is an elegant evening of bingo and bling with celebrity guests and
prizes. Celebrity guests include DJ Zeke Thomas, Maria Papadakis, Dr.
Jennifer Caudle, Marisa Magnatta, Cory Wade Hindorff, and Ed Rendell.

Gov Ed Rendell

CureDuchenne, a nonprofit that raises awareness and funds research to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, hosted 300 people,
including Philadelphia’s top business and community leaders, who enjoyed an
elegant evening of bingo and bling with celebrity guests while raising
more than $175,000 to support the most promising research projects aimed
at treating and curing Duchenne.

Honorees Wayne and Kimberly Kimmel.

Singer-songwriter Sarah Burgess, a contestant on American Idol season 6, sang “Run Away,” a song she wrote for her 7-year-old brother and other boys who live with Duchenne. DJ Zeke Thomas kept the energy going as he spun tunes during Blingo. Sarah’s showing off her Cure Duchenne skirt.

Marisa Magnatta and CNN Health Expert Dr. Jennifer
Caudle.

The event honored local entrepreneurs and philanthropists Wayne and Kimberly Kimmel. Former Philadelphia Mayor and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and Rakia Reynolds (above) from Skai Blue Media were the Blingo master of ceremonies. CNN on-air health expert Dr. Jennifer Caudle; The Preston and Steve Show’s Marisa Magnatta; and The Monday Morning Quarterback’s Andrew Brandt enthusiastically called blingo while guests, dressed in their finest bling, won amazing prizes donated by local businesses.