26th Annual Mardi Gras Raises $112,000 for New CT Scanner at Methodist Hospital

The 26th annual Mardi Gras fundraiser was held on May 15 and raised more than $112,000 for Methodist Hospital of Southern California. This year's Mardi Gras was staged as a fun-filled drive-thru food fest event at the Hale Medical Building Parking Lot to keep attendees safe while obeying COVID-19 restrictions on community gatherings.

The drive-thru event featured food from local restaurants including The Derby World Famous Steakhouse, Matt Denny’s Ale House and Restaurant, Max’s Mexican Cuisine, Methodist Hospital & Sodexo, Phoenix Food and Dessert, and Red Lobster. This unique fundraiser was successful thanks to multiple event sponsors including the two top “Mardi Gras” level sponsors: DeWitt Family Foundation and Foothill Infectious Disease Medical Group for their generous support.

Proceeds from the Mardi Gras Food Fest 2021 celebration will go toward the purchase of a state-of-the-art, 320-slice CT Scanner to expand Methodist Hospital’s ability to quickly diagnose and treat heart and stroke patients, as well as a variety of non-emergent conditions.

Infectious disease specialist Hua Jiang, MD, reined over this event as Honorary King of Mardi Gras. He was recognized for going well above the call of duty during the past year as one of the hospital’s leading physicians treating COVID-19 patients. In addition, Dr. Jiang helped educate the community on COVID-19 through numerous lectures and TV and print news interviews.

“We extend our sincere appreciation to all our event sponsors, restaurant sponsors, and all supporters for their participation in this year’s unique fundraiser,” said Methodist Hospital Foundation President, Mike Driebe.” Although the event was not held in its typical festive format, we were thrilled to welcome our community of supporters who showed up in their Mardi Gras best and helped keep this 26 year tradition going on behalf of Methodist Hospital.”

An additional unique element to this year’s beads and boas celebration included a virtual event featuring the king’s speech and other guest appearances. To view the virtual event and for additional Mardi Gras festivities visit www.mardigrasfoodfest.org or call Methodist Hospital Foundation at 626.898.8888.

We hope to have the opportunity to celebrate in person in the coming year and we invite you to save the date for next year’s Mardi Gras Food Fest to be held on March 1, 2022.

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