NF Hope Concert Returns to Las Vegas LIVE

Author: Jeff Leibow, NF Hope Concert Co-Founder

Published On: 10/19/2021

Celebrating 11 years of fundraising and fantastic performances by top performers, the 11^th Annual NF Hope Concert returns to the stage! Las Vegas' most celebrated entertainers and show-loving philanthropists will once again join forces against neurofibromatosis at the 11^th Annual NF Hope Concert.  NF Hope Concert founders Jeff Leibow, formerly of “Jersey Boys,” and his wife Melody, are bringing the concert back to the prestigious Myron’s at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday Nov. 14.  The lobby opens at 11:30 a.m. for silent auction viewing, with the entertainment portion of the afternoon beginning at 1 p.m.  Tickets start at $49 and can be purchased by visiting www.nfhopelv21.givesmart.com or www.nfhope.org. Las Vegas' 11th Annual NF Hope Concert will also be streamed live. Tickets to the live stream will be available soon. The NF Hope Concert benefits Neurofibromatosis Network, an organization dedicated to families and individuals suffering from Neurofibromatosis (NF).  Please note, the NF Hope Concert will adhere to all COVID policies of The Smith Center.

Since the inaugural event in 2011, the “NF Hope Concert” continues to grow leaps and bounds with every passing year, with more than $1.2 million raised for Neurofibromatosis research and advocacy and growing to three cities – Las Vegas, New York City and Chicago.  Hosted by consummate emcee and top radio personality, Chet Buchanan, 2021’s NF Hope Concert features Ashley Fuller, Nicole Pryor, LVA Grad and Future Broadway Star Runner-Up Breanna DeSantos, American Idol finalist Lou Gazzara, Jassen Allen and more, along with Jeff and Melody Leibow with a special guest appearance by daughter Emma.   

“We’re so excited to see everyone, including our NF Warriors, back at Myron’s and in-person this year. We know the last year and a half have been challenging but we can’t wait to celebrate with our NF family and keep raising awareness and much needed funds for research and advocacy,” said Melody Leibow, co-founder of the NF Hope Concert.  “We’re also so fortunate we have an anonymous donor this year who’s offered to match the donation of any new supporter to the NF Hope Concert, essentially doubling our new donations.  We hope 2021 brings more people into our family and more dollars raised for our amazing warriors.”

Neurofibromatosis (NF) is a genetic disorder of the nervous system characterized by tumors that can grow on any nerve in the body without warning. Leibow’s young daughter, Emma, was diagnosed with this condition in 2010 when she was just nine months old. As Leibow and his wife, Melody, learned more about the disorder’s devastating effects, they conceived the idea for the concert with the realization that they had an obligation to both their family and the 128,000 people living with NF to educate others about the disorder. Although it is a common genetic disorder, most people are not aware that one in 2,500 people are born with it making it more common than cystic fibrosis, hereditary muscular dystrophy, Huntington’s disease, and Tay Sachs combined.

Emma is an endless source of inspiration for her parents every year, but even more so in the last 18 months, as she showed everyone around her that anything is possible. “This year, Emma competed as a soloist in dance competitions,” said Jeff Leibow. “Watching her take on the challenge of dancing on stage alone was awe-inspiring, and a brilliant reminder of the strength and bravery we need to fight NF for Emma and the tens of thousands living with the disorder.” One of the challenges the Leibows faced during the pandemic was limited access to NF care, something that brought a new layer of concern for them. Last summer, Emma was scheduled to have a surgery to battle the effects of a massive NF tumor in her left leg, but concerns about travelling to Southern California meant postponing not just the surgery, but also scans to track potentially dangerous brain tumors. “The anxiety of not being able to get Emma the care she needed this last year has only driven us to do more. Now, as we welcome back our live audience, we are filled with a renewed sense of purpose to do everything can to support the NF community and the search for a cure.”

For 2021, the NF Hope Concert honors their long-standing friend and emcee of NF Hope Concert, Chet Buchanan, with the Advocate of Hope Award for his tireless efforts to support the organization.  The Paul Bodner Memorial Award will be presented to Beverly Oberlander, a multi-generational NF family member.  Her son Eli was the 2018 recipient and will present the award to his mother the afternoon of the concert. 

Tickets start at $49 and can be purchased at any box office at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts, online via www.nfhope.org or by calling 702-749-2000 (TTY 800-326-6868). A select number of sponsorships are available.  Sponsors include ad space in the annual Tribute Journal, sponsor recognition and prime seating at the Nov. 14 concert. For more information about becoming a sponsor, email info@nfhope.org. The NF Hope Concert also features a lavish silent auction including priceless experiences, ticket packages to the top shows on the Strip, hotel stay packages, celebrity experiences, restaurant gift certificates, and more. Early access to the silent auction begins Monday, Nov. 1 via http://nfhopelv21.givesmart.com. The auction will open for viewing 11:30 a.m. on the day of the event. For more information on NF Hope, visit www.nfhope.org. You can follow NF hope on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The 2021 NF Hope Concert is sponsored by presenting sponsor SpringWorks Therapeutics along with All Western Mortgage, Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, PENTA Building Group and Findlay Toyota.