The Dance Floor Comes Alive at the Alcron

There, an elegantly prepared and decorated hall awaited everyone, ready to welcome the gala evening guests once again after a year. The role of hostess was once again taken up by the long-experienced Kateřina Altmanová, a Hemojunior member, together with her husband Petr. As always, everything was prepared down to the last detail, offering guests an extraordinary experience, enhanced by the beautiful premises of the Prague Hotel Alcron, which for the third time allowed us to spend an evening together in these exceptional surroundings.

Already upon entering the hall, the colour red dominated -- not only in the decorations or as part of the attire, but this time also as the festive opening toast, which was dedicated above all to all our sympathisers, supporters, and sponsors present. The moderating duo Terezka and Michael thus kicked off another instalment of our gala evening. The opening songs by the band Wocaties Band drew the first dancers to the floor, while others savoured the local gastronomic specialities. For wine lovers, a selection of excellent samples from the vinotéka of Roman Porteš was available, and Pivovar Lužiny also joined in with a keg of beer. There was no shortage of food and drink, and the same could be said of the tombola, which this year contained more than 300 prizes.

Another highlight was the photo presentation from events of both organisations. On both sides of the stage, images scrolled by, reminding us of shared moments from various events, retreats, workshops, and World Hemophilia Day celebrations. Memories came flooding back, and some could only shake their heads in disbelief at how quickly time flies.

During the evening, there was also a christening and auction of a calendar that was created during the stay of the youngest haemophilia patients and their parents in Bělč nad Orlicí. The calendar was ultimately auctioned off for more than eight hundred crowns.

Our long-time haemophilia camp participant Patrik Zmij proved to the audience that haemophilia patients are talented guys. He performed a guitar solo as if reading from sheet music, winning the hearts of more than a few ladies. A future haemophilia camp leader and a guitarist to boot? We could not wish for anything better.

Throughout the evening, we were accompanied by the Wocaties Band with their excellent repertoire. The last set of songs echoed long after "lights out," as the dance floor still yearned for more tunes and dancing. Unfortunately, the order was clear. The hall lights slowly dimmed, participants shook hands, exchanged a few parting words -- perhaps about where they would meet again next? Maybe at Vísky for the adult reconditioning stay, or the haemophilia camps in Zubří or Bělč, the intergenerational meeting in Jihlava, or at the next gala evening? Wherever it may be, there will once again be many opportunities. So come along!

To help inspire you, here are the impressions of several gala evening participants at the Alcron that we would like to share with you.

To everyone who lent a hand and helped prepare the evening at the Alcron, our heartfelt and warm THANKS!

We attended the gala evening at the Alcron Hotel in Prague for the first time. We were very pleased that our Hemophilia Society and Hemojunior organise something like a joint evening in such a beautiful setting and give us the opportunity to participate. We would like to praise the course of the evening -- it was at a very high social level, and we are not only talking about the venue where the evening took place, but also the buffet and the music; the young musicians showed what they can do. The performance by the young boy -- a haemophilia patient -- was very nice. This artistic interlude in the programme was very pleasant, which made the gala evening even more special. We felt very comfortable in the atmosphere that prevailed, and it was wonderful to watch the young people who behaved and enjoyed themselves beautifully. Everyone was dressed elegantly, and we did not mind at all that we had travelled all the way from Znojmo to Prague in the weather as it was. Quite the opposite, in fact. Everything was refined, from the welcome to the very last minute of the programme. We think all participants must have been satisfied. We judge by how nobody wanted to believe it was over. It was flawless -- praise to the organisers and sponsors. It was very nice to meet in a different way than just with doctors at the hospital, talking about illness, but to also see doctors, nurses, and other representatives of companies and sponsors in the midst of entertainment that was shared by us all. Thank you very much!

K.S.

On 27 January 2018, I attended the gala evening of the Czech Hemophilia Society and Hemojunior. It must be said that it is great to occasionally meet and talk about what accompanies us through life with haemophilia, but also about everyday worries and joys. I really liked it and I think it is great to participate in a social "ball" in such a nice setting, listening to pleasant music, with good refreshments, and dancing along. I had a very pleasant evening with my old good friends and I will be happy if I can come again, perhaps to another one next "ball" season.

P.C

The setting was excellent, including the staff; the organisation with guides was very pleasant; I also liked the tombola including the prizes; the opinions around me were similar; meeting everyone was lovely. Thanks to the organisation of friends and the arrangement of a decent hotel for accommodation, I was very satisfied. I believe that if it were possible to somehow reasonably arrange accommodation at the event venue, attendance could be even higher in the future?!? That is perhaps a suggestion for next year?

Z.B.