North End Restaurateur Honored by Joslin Diabetes Center

Joslin Diabetes Center will honor Carla Gomes at the 26th Annual EVENING AT POPS event at Boston's Symphony Hall

On Friday, May 11th, Joslin Diabetes Center will honor Carla Gomes at the 26th Annual EVENING AT POPS event at Boston's Symphony Hall. Gomes, a Canton resident and a beloved North End restaurateur, will be recognized for her tireless work to support Joslin through her annual CityFeast event, a unique food-and-wine fundraiser founded by Gomes that benefits diabetes research and care through Joslin's High Hopes Fund.

"We are all touched by diabetes in some way during our lifetime," said Gomes, "Diabetes afflicts 24 million Americans and is the leading cause of kidney disease, blindness, heart disease, stroke and amputations. Currently there is no cure; and I want to do all I can to support Joslin Diabetes Center in their work to try to find that cure."

One of those affected is Gomes' son, David, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes over twenty years ago on his first birthday. Now a graduate of Canton High School, and currently a Pre-Med student at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Gomes is quick to point out that David was fortunate, but living with diabetes has immense challenges.

"Diabetes is always with you, it's not something you get a break from. You always have to think about it. It's a consideration in each move you make, day in and day out." Gomes went on to say, "Our goal is to raise as much money to support the High Hopes Fund as possible, so that one day my son David and millions like him, will be free from diabetes and its complications."

Carla is grateful to Joslin and its team of experts for helping her son live a relatively normal childhood despite the everyday challenges of the disease. She is happy to focus her energy on supporting its efforts, so that other mothers may be as fortunate; and in the hopes that a cure is not too far off.  Over the past eight years, Gomes has raised more than $150,000 for Joslin's High Hopes Fund through CityFeast and she hopes to continually expand the event in the future by involving more restaurants throughout the city.

 "We are thrilled to recognize Carla Gomes for her continued efforts on behalf of Joslin Diabetes Center," says John Brooks, III, President & CEO of Joslin Diabetes Center. "For almost a decade, her tremendous work through CityFeast has helped support the Center's greatest needs in research, education and clinical care, making it possible for us to look forward to a future without diabetes."

EVENING AT POPS treats guests to a spectacular musical experience by Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops. This year the Pops will celebrate George Gershwin by performing many of his vibrant, jazzy and uniquely American musical pieces, including Rhapsody in Blue. This event is Friday, May 11th at 8:00 p.m.

For more information on Joslin Diabetes Center or to purchase EVENING AT POPS tickets, please visit www.joslin.org/pops