Flash back to February 18, 1995 and a small private dinner at Chef Wolfgang Puck’s flagship Las Vegas restaurant, Spago, where about 35 people gathered on what is now an historic night to pay tribute to Larry Ruvo’s father, Lou, who had passed away the year before due to Alzheimer’s disease. The evening was a celebration of Lou’s life, with guests sharing stories and, by the end of the dinner, generously pledging money to help find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.
By the end of that dinner, Larry was inspired, and suggested to Wolfgang that they do another. Wolfgang, too, was inspired and had an idea: He wanted to invite a different chef each year to cook with him and oversee the dinner. Thus, in 1996, began what has become the annual, star-studded Keep Memory Alive Power of Love® gala, which marks its 25th annual event on Saturday, October 16, 2021.
2021: A COMMUNITY OF CARE
Twenty-five years and millions of dollars later, the impact of the Power of Love gala on patient care is immeasurable. Funds raised by Keep Memory Alive have benefited the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
As of 2021, since opening its doors in downtown Las Vegas in July 2009, the center has delivered more than 220,000 appointments; conducted over 100 clinical research studies; and provided 60,000 educational, therapeutic and support visits to the community. It currently has 6,000 lives in its care.
To Camille Ruvo, “I’m most proud that my husband’s vision has become a reality. Larry has never let anybody stop him from making a difference in our community.”
Learn more at keepmemoryalive.org.