OKLAHOMA CITY –
The Oklahoma City event will support two women facing serious health challenges and benefit Oklahoma Children’s Hospital volunteers.
Small Bites and Sound Bites promises a night of food, music and fun while sharing important information about sickle cell disease and childhood cancer.
“I don’t like panels. I think they’re boring. I just wanted to do something celebratory,” event planner Patrice Bell said.
Bell wanted to use her talents and connections to bring people together for a deeper purpose.
“So, we’re telling stories, but we’re using food and music as the vehicle,” Bell said.
Tulsa chef Jeremy Johnson will provide bites tied to the show and served at specific moments throughout the evening.
“The timing is very important because we want to make sure those bites get out when the song is playing,” Bell said.
Along with games, live music, a DJ and food, the event will feature personal stories.
“For this particular show, you are going to hear people’s stories about their experiences with sickle cell and childhood cancer,” Bell said.
Event inspired by Bell’s niece
The event is deeply personal for Bell.
“I wrote this show to benefit my niece, Nadia McGahee,” Bell said.
Nadia was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 7 years old. After years of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, she is now 22 and needs a kidney.
“She’s a student at Langston, and after the second lung collapsed, they did surgery and declared her kidney failure,” Bell said.
When Bell learned September is Sickle Cell Awareness Month, she decided to also highlight Amari Whitaker.
“She and her husband actually own Not Cho Cheesecake over in Bethany, and she lives with sickle cell,” Bell said.
In addition to supporting Nadia and Amari, 10% of the money raised will go to Oklahoma Children’s Hospital volunteers.
Small Bites and Sound Bites begins at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Oklahoma History Center.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit lpatricebell.com.
