25th Anniversary Gala Brings an Outpouring of Love and Support for NCSBS

In the words of NCSBS Executive Director, Danielle Vazquez, “Our 25th Anniversary Gala was a resounding success!” The celebration took place at the Davis Conference Center in Layton, Utah, where we welcomed 150 supporters, board members, staff, and volunteers—all champions of the NCSBS mission. “We raised a significant sum to support our programs, and the evening was filled with heartfelt speeches, inspiring presentations, and joyful connections. We are incredibly grateful for the dedication and generosity of our community, and we look forward to celebrating 25 more years of shaken baby/abusive head trauma prevention impact together,” said Vazquez.

Planning for the gala was an all-hands-on-deck effort from our team. We chose to have the event in April in honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month. With the date set, preparation began and involved coordinating the details for the venue, selecting live musicians, creating the center piece decorations, and spreading the word on social media.

One of our standout steps was to create a timeline of the NCSBS’ history and accomplishments to be presented at the event. Executive Director Vazquez connected with our founder and former Executive Director, Marilyn Barr, and began diving into archives to recount stories, milestones, and key events that have shaped the organization over the past quarter-century. After 25 years of service, the NCSBS has stood the test of time, and was established before some of our staff were even born! At the 25th Anniversary Gala, we reflected with pride on the mission-driven progress we have made.

The gala evening began with a welcome address by Board Chair Bryce Froerer, JD, who thanked the NCSBS staff: “Your dedication drives everything we do.” He recognized both current and former board members for their leadership and paid tribute to the families of victims and survivors saying, “You are at the heart of our work.” He also acknowledged our many supporters who couldn’t attend due to distance and expressed gratitude to the generous sponsors who helped make the event possible.

Executive Director, Danielle Vazquez, who has led the NCSBS since 2022 with a tenure spanning 18 years, then took the stage for a toast: “Here’s to the children and families we’ve served, to the survivors and the stories that inspire us, to the tireless dedication of our staff, board, and supporters, and to a future where every baby is safe and every caregiver is supported. To 25 years, and to the next 25.”

Next, we had the opportunity to share the timeline of the NCSBS’ history and accomplishments through a presentation produced by the NCSBS marketing team, “A Look Back at 25 Years of impact.” It was a powerful retrospective of our work, highlighting national and international reach over the past twenty-five years through infographics, data, and milestones. The presentation emphasized lifesaving educational and prevention programs and featured collaborations with hospitals, healthcare providers, and community organizations.

Perhaps the most poignant moment of the presentation came from the families of victims, survivors, and healthcare professionals who advocate for SBS/AHT prevention. In a video put together by the NCSBS marketing team, our longtime friends and partners in prevention answered the question: “What does the NCSBS’s 25th anniversary mean to you?”

“Without your sensitivity, compassion, and guidance early on, we would not have survived.”

“You helped me share my story and supported my undergraduate research as a survivor of SBS.”

“I’ve made priceless connections and found the courage to share my experience in hopes of preventing this abuse from happening to another child.”

“NCSBS changed the trajectory for children who’ve been shaken—and became a source of strength for me.”

“You gave me a way to turn pain into purpose.”

 

The responses struck a chord with attendees, many of whom were visibly moved by the stories and the work accomplished over the past 25 years. It served as both a celebration of progress and a call to action, reinforcing just how far-reaching and necessary the mission of NCSBS remains. (Watch the video in the YouTube player)

“Looking ahead to the next chapter, we acknowledge the work still to be done,” said Vazquez. “We dream of a world where no child is harmed this way again, and where every caregiver isequipped with the resources, education, and compassion they need to thrive.”

THANK YOU to the following businesses and individuals whose generosity made this event possible