Imagine Gala in Milwaukee raises money for critical research

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People packed a ballroom at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown Milwaukee Thursday night for the 2018 Imagine Gala.

The money raised supports the Blood Research Institute. The Wauwatosa facility is home to physicians, scientists, and technologists making discoveries that impact patient diagnoses, advance treatments, and ultimately lead to cures.

The researchers have made numerous breakthroughs over the years and provide hope to patients affected by blood diseases, immune system disorders, heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

10-year-old Tia Wilson of Milwaukee is one of those patients. She was born with sickle cell anemia.

Wilson suffered a stroke when she was just a toddler. She was hospitalized and started getting blood transfusions.

In 2015, she received a bone marrow transplant from her older brother. Now Wilson is doing well and hopes the investigators at the Blood Research Institute will find a cure for sickle cell disease.  

CBS 58 Morning News anchor Jessica Tighe emceed the gala. Thanks to the generosity of those in attendance, the gala raised more than $211,200.

The Blood Research Institute was established by BloodCenter of Wisconsin which is part of Versiti.

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