The Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation recently welcomed more than 400 guests to the Tiara Ball, its annual black-tie gala, which this year raised more than $500,000 to benefit emergency, trauma, and critical care services at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital.

The Tiara Ball also recognizes caregivers and donors for their commitment in providing emergency, trauma and critical care to the region.

“The theme for this year’s Tiara Ball is Constellation of Caring,” said Ron Werft, president/CEO of Cottage Health. “That’s fitting because it takes so many to care for our community in times of crisis, emergency and trauma.

“Some provide direct care at the bedside of patients, and others generously support lifesaving work. Each and every one makes a difference in countless lives.”

A video story featured a former patient, Keilani Waxdeck, who sustained multiple traumatic injuries when an oncoming car crossed lanes and crashed into her vehicle.

Waxdeck shared the amazing recovery and the bond she developed with the Cottage Health care team. Many of her Cottage caregivers attended the gala. To view the video visit cottagehealth.org/keilani.

The Tiara Ball was organized by a 15-member committee of community volunteers who decorated the ballroom at the Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Goleta with metallic spheres, a celestial gold and blue color-theme, and floral arrangements.

Event co-chairs Heather Hambleton and Lisa Iscovich spoke at the gala, along with Werft and Steve Zola, chair of the Cottage Health Board of Directors.

Since 2005, the Tiara Ball has raised funds to improve the lives of thousands of adults and children who are critically ill or injured.

Proceeds from the 2023 Tiara Ball will be designated to help build the Emergency Department of the future for the Santa Barbara community. Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital will become one of a select group of hospitals across the nation providing an innovative new care model for patients to receive more rapid diagnosis and treatment.

For more information about the Tiara Ball and ways to support Cottage Health, visit www.cottagehealth.org/donate.