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Her appendix burst in 1977. Debbie Barnes contracted hepatitis C through a blood transfusion she had then, although it was years before she was diagnosed and years more until she received a liver transplant, in 2001.
Mrs. Barnes and her mother, Dot McCarthy, have been active in the Tampa Bay Hepatitis and Liver Disease Support Group as a result of those experiences. The organization's name is a mouthful, but its work is a great comfort to people who have hepatitis or liver disease of any sort.
The two women were co-chairs of an awards dinner Friday evening at Pasadena Yacht & Country Club. It honored Roland Metivier, chief executive of Edward White Hospital in St. Petersburg, which was the event's major sponsor; Dr. Tejinder S. Glamour and Peggy St. Croix, co-founders of the G.I. Clinic; Jane Egbert, executive director of the St. Petersburg Free Clinic; and Jim Martin, regional director for the Laboratory Corporation of America.
The evening also was a benefit for health services at the G.I. and free clinics, where uninsured liver disease patients get treatment.
Mrs. McCarthy and her husband, Avery, also were major sponsors for the evening, where attendees included her son and daughter, Cecil Taylor of Gulfport and Pat Straubel of Colorado; Mrs. Barnes' husband, Vern, and their son Ryan; Dr. Glamour's wife , Kusum, and their children, Jasmine, Amita, Benita and Jasdeep; Tom and L.A. Malin; Bernice McCune; Pat LaMonde; Ann Foster; Hugh Ann Cason-Kelly; Dick an d Barbara Royston; and Julia Gill.
Dave Sjolund, attending with his wife, Carol, wore a tie imprinted with elephants he bought in the congressional gift shop in Washington. On the tie was a pin that designated him a lifetime member of the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, information that proved useful to Sharon Clayton, who recently had a scrape with her treasured Rolls.
The Skylight Duo presented the evening's music.
Looking aheadToday
MAKING STRIDES UNTIL MYSTERY SOLVED: Breakfast benefit for Mid Florida Chapter, National Multiple Sclerosis Society. 7:30-9 a.m. A La Carte Event Pavilion, 4050 Dana Shores Drive, Tampa. (813) 889-8303 ext. 201.
TOWN AND GOWN: University of South Florida St. Petersburg group event features performances by regional chancellor Karen White, James Johnson, Kay Lowe. 7:30 p.m. Palladium Theater, 253 Fifth Ave. N. 553-4842.
Thursday
HOSPICE GOLF CLASSIC: Benefits Hospice of the Florida Suncoast. Golf tournament, silent auction, cocktail and awards reception. Copperhead Course at Westin Innisbrook Resort, 36750 U.S. 19 N, Palm Harbor. 586-4432, ext. 2728.
Friday
BARBIE DOLL 45TH ANNIVERSARY FAMILY CELEBRATION: Opens exhibit of more than 200 Barbies. Refreshments and anniversary cake, meet with collector Joann Winspur, children bring Barbies; photo opportunities, doll drawing. Casual attire. 5-7 p.m. Florida International Museum, 100 Second St. N, St. Petersburg. $10 adults; $5 children. 822-3693 ext. 295.
DALI AND MASS CULTURE GALA: Spanish wines, buffet dinner, tour of exhibit. 7-10 p.m. Salvador Dali Museum, 1000 Third St. S, St. Petersburg. $75 members; $100 nonmembers. 823-3767.
DONOR DINNER: Onstage dinner salutes Florida Orchestra patrons, musicians. 6:30 p.m. Mahaffey Theater at the Bayfront Center, 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg. Invitation only. (813) 286-1170, ext. 318.
Saturday
BOWSER BALL: Sixth annual benefit for Pinellas Animal Foundation features live entertainment, games, dinner, dancing, silent auction. 6-11 p.m. Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, 105 Bayshore Drive, Safety Harbor. $150. 710-7387.
PUMPKIN PALOOZA: Fall family fun festival benefits St. Petersburg Junior Woman's Club charitable projects. 1-7 p.m. St. Petersburg Woman's Club, 40 Snell Isle Blvd. NE. Free. 341-2201.
WELCOME HOME FAMILY FESTIVAL: Features inflatable and interactive games, activities, health screenings, entertainment, food for people of all ages. Organized by Resurrection House, St. Anthony's Health Care, Kiwanis Club of St. Petersburg. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. St. Anthony's Park, 12th Street N between Fifth and Ninth avenues, St. Petersburg. No admission fee. 823-4742.
Mary Jane Park can be reached at 727 893-8267; fax (727) 893-8675; e-mail park@sptimes.com P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731.