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NARSAD: FOURTH ANNUAL MISSION POSSIBLE GALA February 28 · The Canadian Embassy BY DONNA SHOR
THE EVENT: More than $500K was raised for NARSAD's gala dinner, a stunning sum as this is only its fourth "Mission Possible" event. The name came from the fi rst gala, held at the International Spy Museum, when this group of mental health professionals declared their mission of fi nding cures for 32 types of brain and behavioral disorders - from autism to Alzheimers. THE SCENE: At the huge Pennsylvania Avenue Canadian embassy, guests were welcomed by minister Roy Norton. The program, which included an exhibit of Canadian art, a raffl e and the presentation of the Wellstone Leadership Awards was emceed by CNN Special Correspondent Frank Sesno. Event co-chairs were Sheila Rabaut and Wendy Adeler-Hall, whose Great Falls' Adeler Jewelers donated the luxurious pieces that were auctioned. High point: the almost $8K reached by the diamond-encircled brooch, featuring a South Sea Mobe pearl emerging from its shell. The Paul Wellstone Leadship Award (named for the late "Conscience of the Senate") was presented to Rep. Patrick Kennedy for his legislative eff orts regarding mental illness, and to the late Art Buchwald for humanizing his own illness through his frank writings about his struggles with depression. (His posthumous award was accepted by his son Joel.) CBS-TV legend Mike Wallace, who presented the awards, has also been forthright about his bouts of depression, and has been a strong advocate for the mentally ill.
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