R Baby Events

On April 4^th, 2019, R Baby Foundation and Michael’s Mission joined together to host Two Charities, One Goal: Saving Lives, an 80’s themed benefit concert at the Hammerstein Ballroom-Manhattan Center in New York City. The exciting event, produced by Powered by Professionals, featured classic 80’s elements including Pop Rocks cocktails, an 80’s candy bar, a giant lite-brite, a giant Pacman arcade game, a roller girl and so much more! The evening raised $1.8 million dollars for the two charities.

Rev. Run from Run-DMC, joined by acclaimed DJ Mel DeBarge, headlined the event.  In their first performance in the U.S. in several years, Australian band Fractures opened the evening and later guests danced the night away to 80’s cover band Jessie’s Girl.

The gala honored inspiring individuals who have devoted their time to raising awareness and funds in support of both organizations, includingNFL Assistant Coach Mike Rutenberg and his wife Stacey, R Baby Foundationrecipients of R Baby’s Courage Award.  It also included Justine Simmons who shared the powerful and personal story of the loss of her daughter Victoria Simmons.

The Rutenbergs lost their beautiful daughter Riley Nicole at 37 weeks in utero after being told she was measuring beautifullyand was near full term. In what has been an unbelievably gut-wrenching time, the couple created the Riley Fund for Stillborn Research at R Baby Foundation to create awareness and to support cutting edge research focused on the prediction and prevention of stillbirth so that other families will not face this devastating loss. Read more about The Riley Fund for Stillbirth Research at R Baby Foundation here.

For photos of the event visit here.

We are beyond grateful to our generous sponsors, in-kind donors and supporters for making the evening a huge success: