American Kidney Fund's 6th Annual Spring Event Brings New Yorkers Together to Celebrate Inspiration Throughout the Kidney Community

-The Annual Spring Event Will Raise Funds for Kidney Disease, Feature a Live Auction and Celebrate the American Kidney Fund's New York Nephrologist and Humanitarians of the Year-

ROCKVILLE, Md., March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is being issued by the American Kidney Fund:  

EVENT: The 6th Annual American Kidney Fund New York Spring Event brings together New York's philanthropic community and kidney health advocates to raise awareness and honor an inspirational physician and two humanitarians who are leading in the fight against kidney disease. The event's goal is to increase awareness for the organization's programs and initiatives, honor inspiring individuals and raise funds via a live auction.  

Last fall, the American Kidney Fund launched its national campaign, Pair Up: Join the Fight to Prevent Kidney Disease, in Times Square. Pair Up encourages individuals to take two simple actions: learn if they're at risk for kidney disease and spread the word about kidney disease to loved ones who may also be at risk.  Today, kidney disease affects 31 million Americans, and in New York alone, the American Kidney Fund provided over $3.3 million in aid to more than 4,000 patients impacted by this chronic condition.

WHO: Featured guests and honorees include:                               

• LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund
• Dr. David J. Cohen, Nephrologist of the Year, Medical Director of Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center
• Barbara and Douglas A. Asofsky, Humanitarians of the Year
• John Catsimatidis, Chairman and CEO of the Red Apple Group
• Al Centrella, Principal, NAI Long Island
• Dr. Donald Landry, Chairman of the Department of Medicine at New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center
• Phyllis Hill Slater, Founder and President of Hill Slater, Inc.
• Anthony DeGiulio, Securities Trader at Sano Partners

Additionally, guests can enjoy the following auction items, facilitated by C. Hugh Hildesley, Executive Vice President, Sotheby's:

• One week at one of Palace Premier Resorts locations in Cancun, Riviera Maya or Punta Cana, complemented by a Salvatore Ferragamo leather briefcase and Sutor Mantellassi overnight bag
• Five-day, four-night luxury stay for two adults in a deluxe room at a Sandals Resort located in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia or The Bahamas
• Jordan Alexander 42" baroque pearl necklace with pave diamond accents
• Prada soft black leather calf tote with ruched detail and a drawstring closure

WHEN:                 Thursday, March 22, 2012
                            Reception: 6:00 pm
                            Live Auction: 7:00 pm
                            Awards Presentation: 7:30 pm

WHERE:               Twenty Four Fifth
                            New York, NY

RSVP:                  Tickets can be purchased via the American Kidney Fund website, www.kidneyfund.org

SOURCE American Kidney Fund