Some 900 guests celebrated at the Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare Tribute to Courage Gala this month, honoring patients and raising funds for future care.

Film actress and television personality Bonnie Hunt hosted the gala and chatted with each honoree onstage about Casa Colina’s continuum of care that led to their recovery. The event was held at the Sheraton Fairplex Hotel and Conference Center.

The 2018 recipient of the Bonnie Hunt Nurse Scholar award is Georgette Ramirez.

Three Casa Colina patients were guests of honor – Katrina Hannah of La Verne, Daniel Franco of Rancho Cucamonga and Johnny “Ringo” Scharnweber of Phelan.

Katrina Hannah was one of more than 500 injured at the Las Vegas mass shooting on Oct. 1. Arriving at Casa Colina 17 days after the shooting, Katrina underwent inpatient rehabilitation until the first week of November. She has had outpatient therapy five days a week since then and just completed her master’s degree in business at the University of La Verne.

Daniel Franco’s professional boxing career ended with a knockout during a fight in Iowa in June 2017. The resulting pressure from bleeding in the brain threatened his life. He had two surgeries in Iowa to relieve pressure on his brain and another at Casa Colina to combat an infection before he could start rehabilitation. Today he teaches boxing at the Warzone Boxing Club in Rialto with his father and coach Al Franco.

Johnny “Ringo” Scharnweber remembers the moment he misjudged a turn during a championship desert motorcycle race in January 2017. He went headfirst over the handlebars, resulting in paralysis from the neck down with little hope of walking again. One week after arriving at Casa Colina, Johnny’s therapist team told him, “We’re going to walk today.” Not only did he walk onto the Gala stage, but also danced with his wife Jennifer during the social hour.

“I don’t think there is a greater endorsement for all the work we focus on here at Casa Colina than the results we have shared here tonight. There is no greater ‘thank you’ than to see them here tonight being the forceful engaging people they are,” said Dr. Felice Loverso, Casa Colina President and CEO.

The Tribute to Courage Gala is Casa Colina’s primary fundraising event and this year’s event raised over $510,000. For more information visit www.casacolina.org,e-mail foundation@casacolina.org or call (909) 596-7733, Ext. 2232.