✨ Every ticket helps someone continue to thrive with sound.

For five years, Joyful Life Cochlear Implant Fund has helped people across the U.S. stay connected to the world of sound. Without functioning external equipment, many CI users face losing their hearing again—a reality we’re determined to change.

Join us on Thursday, December 11th for our annual virtual Holiday Fundraiser, a celebration of five years of joyful impact and thriving lives.

The evening will feature powerful stories of resilience, live holiday music performed by preschool cochlear implant recipients, and keynote speaker Elena Laquatra, a CI recipient, former Miss Pennsylvania, and current Pittsburgh news anchor.

Your participation directly supports our mission—and ensures that more people can continue to hear, connect, and thrive.

🎟️ Choose the level of impact that’s right for you*:

$25 – General Admission: Live event access
$50 – Supporter: Live + replay access
$100 – VIP Donor: Live + replay access + special recognition

Together, let’s make this a season where everyone can hear the joy.

Anticipate sixty minutes of sheer delight at our virtual event masterfully hosted by president of the JLCIF board and cochlear implant recipient, Michael Noble:

Musical Delights: special music from cochlear implant pre-schoolers performing holiday music that'll get you in the festive spirit.
Special Moments: Hear from Angela Irwin, JLCIF Founder & Executive Director, a bilateral cochlear implant recipient, and learn about how the lives we are impacting.
Inclusive and Accessible: This virtual event will be captioned, ensuring everyone can join in the experience.
Dress to Impress: While festive holiday attire is encouraged, it's not mandatory. Your presence and enthusiasm are what truly matter!
Make a Difference: 100% of the proceeds support uninsured and underinsured cochlear implant recipients in the U.S. Help them access vital external sound processor equipment and break down financial barriers to hearing.

MEET OUR KEYNOTE SPEAKER:

Living Between Worlds: My Deaf, Speaking, Hearing Life

Elena LaQuatra is a cochlear implant recipient, former Miss Pennsylvania, and current Pittsburgh news anchor for Pittsburgh’s Action News 4. Her story embodies resilience, purpose, and what it truly means to thrive.

"Although bacterial meningitis took 100% of my hearing and balance at age four, I decided I would never let my “disability” hold me back. I received a cochlear implant and attended a school for oral deaf children to regain my listening and spoken language skills. As a teen, I competed in pageants and most recently was crowned Miss Pennsylvania USA 2016 and competed for Miss USA. I have also danced my entire life and won numerous awards for choreography. After interning at local TV stations, I landed a job right out of college as a digital video reporter. I hope to become the first deaf anchor on a national network and I'm determined to achieve that goal!"

In her spare time, she serves as Mistress of Ceremonies for fundraising galas nationwide and as an ambassador and board member to numerous non-profit organizations. Elena was crowned Miss Pennsylvania USA in 2016 and competed in the nationally televised Miss USA pageant.

Her greatest passions include mentoring young women as a pageant coach, traveling, and spending time with her husband, daughter, family and friends.

Our goal is to raise enough to fund a sound processor upgrade for a cochlear implant recipient who has no other options to keep their hearing stable (we currently have several applicants on our waitlist).

If you're not able to join us live, your ticket price includes a replay of the event, for Supporter and VIP ticket holders.

**As this is a global event, please triple check your time zone:

Thursday, Dec 11th @ 6pm EST (US)

Thursday, Dec 11th @ 11pm (UK)

Thursday, Dec 11th @midnight CET (France)

Friday, Dec 12th @ 10am AEDT (Sydney)

* 100% of the proceeds go towards helping uninsured and underinsured cochlear implant recipients in the U.S. with their ongoing external sound processor equipment costs so that they can remain part of the hearing world. A person's ability to hear shouldn't depend on their ability to pay. Learn more about the JLCIF and its inspiring mission at www.JLCIF.org.

Like and follow us:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLCIF

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jlci...

Special thanks to our corporate partners!! We are able to help more people due to the special pricing agreements we have with them.

JLCIF 2025 Virtual Holiday Event

Celebrate the Season. Amplify the Joy. Help Others Thrive.