HDSA-San Diego raised more than $100,000 for patient care and research towards treatments and a cure at its ninth annual Celebration of Hope Gala on October 17, thanks to the support of title sponsor Qualcomm, presenting sponsor Palomar Pomerado Health, and scores of other caring supporters.

The gala attracted nearly 500 guests, who were entertained by members of the San Diego Chargers and ESPN’s Monday Night Football broadcast team during “In the Huddle: a night of football anecdotes and ad-libs.”

The Gala also honored former Chargers coaching legend Don Coryell, who celebrated his 85^th birthday that evening as the audience sang a resounding “Happy Birthday.”

A large portion of the funds raised will go to support the HDSA Center of Excellence for Family Services and Research at the University of California, San Diego, directed by Dr. Jody Corey-Bloom, who was present.

HDSA-San Diego President Luanne Bas officially welcomed the dinner guests and thanked Gala co-chairs Dinisa Valadao and Maria Gibson as well as HDSA-San Diego board member Kim Ayres for their tireless production of the event, held at The Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel in downtown San Diego.

After silent and live auctions and dinner, the audience heard a spirited and humorous panel discussion by the five members of the ESPN crew: play-by-play announcer Mike Tirico (who also served as the evening’s emcee), former star quarterback Ron Jaworski, former Super Bowl coach Jon Gruden, and reporters Michele Tafoya and Suzy Kolber.

As in the past, the San Diego Chargers were out in force to support HDSA. Chargers President Dean Spanos and his wife Susie, sons A. G. Spanos and John Spanos, coach Norv Turner, Philip Rivers, Shawne Merriman, Scott Mruczkowski, Kris Dielman, Nick Hardwick, Quentin Jammer, Chris Chambers and Jacques Cesaire were just some of the team’s personnel present.

“In a situation like this, with Bill Johnston and Huntington’s disease, it’s something very personal,” said Turner, referring to the team’s public relations director and former president of HDSA-San Diego, whose wife Ramona has HD.

“Dean and I were talking about it a little while ago. When it hits you right at home and it’s people that you’re very close to and mean a lot to you, then it becomes something very special. I can’t tell you how much I respect Bill for what he’s done, the Spanos family and how it’s supported Bill, and then the way our players support him. You saw it tonight and you see it every day. It’s something that’s very special for our organization.”

“For us to be able to come out for a couple hours to help support such a great cause is really nothing in the big picture,” Rivers told the audience. “In this community, which gives us such great support, any time we can help, we’re glad to do it.”

Click here to view our "Huddle" photo gallery.

Click here to see our "Tribute to Sponsors."

Click here to read Luanne Bas's column thanking event organizers and guests.

Scroll down to watch two videos of "In the Huddle" highlights: the San Diego Union-Tribune production and HDSA-San Diego's spontaneous shots.