NEWS

November 12, 2007 Blakely Event

An Incredible Success

On November 12, 2007, the Multnomah Athletic Club (M.A.C.) in Portland hosted the FACES Foundation as we put on a dinner event to honor Dr. Robert Blakeley in his retirement. Dr. Blakeley devoted over 50 years of his life to helping children who have cranio-facial related speech disorders. In addition to being Professor Emeritus of Speech Pathology at OHSU, he directed the University Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Clinic for over 40 years, served on the Kaiser Cleft Palate Team for over 20 years, and spent time teaching abroad. It has been a privilege for FACES to be associated with him and his work.

The evening commenced with a silent auction and tapas (small appetizers). Handmade items previously purchased in Peru were auctioned off: exquisite tapestries, jewelry, pottery, and textiles. A Peruvian themed dinner was served at 7:30 p.m., the menu of which was designed by one of the M.A.C. staff who is Peruvian himself. During the dinner, we had the pleasure of listening to three speakers whose lives have all been touched by Dr. Blakeley in some way: Dr. Xia Tian, an endodontist from China; former Governor Barbara Roberts; and Mandy Nelsen, an R.N. who was a patient of Dr. Blakeley.

After the speakers, JillMarie Wiles led the live auction where the following items were auctioned off: a golf afternoon at Langdon Farms, a spa trip, a dinner party at Andina, and other appealing items. Ten enthusiastic volunteers helped the 125 guests in attendance experience a wonderfully orchestrated evening. The generosity of our donors helped us raise over $20,000, which went to the Blakeley Distinguished Fellowship and to the continued work of FACES in third world countries.

FACES is looking forward to continuing to pay tribute to Dr. Blakeley by appointing future Blakeley fellows.