Move over Ferris Bueller! An awesome group of South Florida young professionals and business leaders got together on Thursday, September 19 for the 8th Annual Fashion Gives Back charity event. With a theme of “Shine: 80s Neon,” the celebration at Jungle Island was hosted by the Nicklaus Children’s Young Ambassadors (NCYA). Coming out in full force to support the patients and families of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, attendees wore iconic 80s attire as they danced the night away while helping raise funds in style.

“We are so thankful for the generous support from this group of young philanthropists in South Florida,” said Michelle Boggs, President of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Foundation. “This group of professionals went above and beyond this year to support the children and families we serve at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. Everyone involved, including our committee members, event co-chairs, sponsors, and guests came together to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of children in South Florida.”

This year’s event co-chairs, Ricky Patel, and Zak Mann were joined by co-host Jonathan Babicka as masters of ceremonies, along with a very special guest. During a special portion of this year’s event, guests learned about Gianna, one of Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s very own patients who continues to persevere through her own journey.

Gianna was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 (SMA2), a genetic neuromuscular disorder that affects the nerve cells that control voluntary muscles. Without proper treatment for this degenerative disease, children like Gianna begin to suffer from muscle weakness, in some cases losing the ability to sit up, stand, and walk. Since her diagnosis, Gianna has been visiting Nicklaus Children’s Hospital three times a week for physical therapy to improve her strength and mobility. But because of the ongoing muscle weakness caused by her condition, Gianna needs a wheelchair to get around. Gianna now uses a standard wheelchair, but a special child-sized power chair will improve her quality of life. A special call-out was made during the event to raise funds to provide Gianna and many other children with her condition with the vital equipment they need.

“We are an extremely active group of young professionals who enjoy doing our part to contribute positively to our community and to the lives of children like Gianna,” said Ricky Patel. “I’m still in awe of how much this event has grown over the past eight years – each edition gets bigger and better. It brings our group collective joy to host events like this to help the young patients at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital. I want to thank each and every person that supported this celebration and helped make it a success.”

The crowd feasted on gourmet bites and sipped on hand-crafted cocktails while watching the season’s latest fashion trends curated by Saks Fifth Avenue – Brickell City Centre. As a nod to the amazing event-themed outfits worn by attendees, a “Best Dressed” contest with prizes was sponsored by Modern Luxury Miami Magazine and judged by its publisher, Liana Guilarte, and Massimo Casagrande of Istituto Marangoni Miami. After giving awards in several categories, the evening was topped off with dancing to 80s DJ hits within a smoky club atmosphere that featured a retro laser light show.

This year’s Joshua and Jenni Coba Fashion Gives Back event was presented by Missy and Jonathan Babicka and generously sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue – Brickell City Centre, Accessible Home Health Care, and the law firm of Farrell, Patel, Jomarron & Lopez – Attorneys at Law, among others.