Doctors Without Borders
Malibu Global Awareness, which is hosting the fundraiser, was founded by Annie Thiel in memory of her late husband Richard Thiel, who was an active supporter of Doctors Without Borders for more than 20 years.
By Joe Fasbinder
Special to The Malibu Times
Sickness, hunger and their attendant ills know no borders and neither does Malibu Global Awareness, which is hosting a gala fundraiser for Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières on June 3 in Malibu.
Doctors Without Borders is an international, independent medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid throughout the world, and its supporters in Malibu will be delivering star-studded entertainment at the third annual dinner fundraiser called “Changing the World.”
“The limit of guests allowed at the event is 420 and the event coordinators already have 325 confirmed,” said Caitlin Cowart, head of the public relations agency that is helping stage the event.
Lou Gossett Jr. will emcee the event and other celebrities expected to be on hand include Martin Sheen, Linda Hamilton, Dennis Quaid and Cindy Landon, widow of actor Michael Landon.
Malibu resident Annie Thiel, Ph.D., founded Malibu Global Awareness, which sponsors the dinner, in 2004 in memory of her late husband, Dr. Richard Thiel, an active supporter of Doctors Without Borders for more than 20 years.
“Basically, Richard and I traveled to Africa about seven times during our marriage to do humanitarian work and in Kenya, Richard became acutely aware of the great medical needs of the poor people there, especially [the] Masai tribes people,” Thiel said.
“Before he died in 2001, he had an idea of starting a foundation to help people all over Africa. When he died, we asked people to donate to Doctors Without Borders to help realize that dream. And when I went to their headquarters to deliver the check, they told me there was no significant fundraising going on in Southern California for Doctors Without Borders, and that is something they really needed.”
The MalibuGlobalAwareness.org Web site counts 25 permanent members in the group, which exists to support Doctors Without Borders in delivering antibiotics, bandages and gallons of clean drinking water, “as well as a powerful message that the world still cares.”
“We had our first fundraiser in 2003 and the next in 2004. Both were very successful, raising about $40,000 the first year and $68,000 the next,” Thiel said. “This year, we have tax exempt status, and we’re a fully incorporated foundation, with me as president.
“We have a committee of around 35 people working hard in the Malibu community for this event,” she said, adding that they have canvassed local businesses and individuals for items to be offered in the auction. “The items include a trip to the Seychelles and a trip to Morocco. Sounds good, huh?”
Also among the dozens of donated items are some fine jewelry and a puppy.
Doctors Without Borders does not accept donations from religious or political groups, and is “very selective” about corporate donors, Thiel said. The vast majority of contributions that support Doctors Without Borders come from individuals.
Thiel’s late husband is one of those contributors, years after his death. “Richard wrote a book about humanitarianism before he died called `And Brothers Once,’ and it is being published in June, to coincide with the fundraiser,” Thiel said.
All royalties from the book, published by Ex-Libris of Chicago, will go to Doctors Without Borders. Thiel will donate 200 of the volumes for sale at the June 3 auction.
Doctors Without Borders sends vaccines, medical equipment and qualified doctors to more than 70 countries around the world. Sometimes, they send administrators.
“For example, in the December 2004 tsunami, Doctors Without Borders was responsible for most of the logistics and was helping other organizations as well,” Thiel said. “They take care of emergency and crisis situation all over the world – Afghanistan, Iraq – any trouble spot in the world. Right now, Doctors Without Borders is in Kashmir, helping with epidemics and inoculations. They are really focusing on Sudan right now, with hunger and feeding thousands of children.”
In 1998, Doctors Without Borders was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its outstanding response to famine, epidemics such as malaria, AIDS and the casualties of war. In 2004, Doctors Without Borders received an A rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy.
The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail reception and live and silent auction. Dinner and other entertainment begin at 7:30 p.m., with singer Rick Springfield providing music. This year’s fundraiser will be take place at Landon’s Malibu estate.
Information and tickets to the June 3 event can be obtained by calling 310.457.1478. All of the evening’s proceeds will go to Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières.