Dr. Sanjay Gupta to Receive 2010 Distinguished Child Advocate Award

Children's Law Center to honor CNN correspondent and neurosurgeon

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Children's Law Center will honor Dr. Sanjay Gupta with the 2010 Distinguished Child Advocate Award at its Annual Helping Children Soar Benefit.

As both CNN chief medical correspondent and associate chief of neurosurgery at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA, Dr. Gupta has used his medical expertise to raise awareness about health and wellness issues impacting people around the world, particularly children.  

"Throughout his journalistic career, Dr. Gupta has drawn attention to conditions that deeply impact children, including asthma, mental illness, physical disabilities, poverty, and unsafe housing," said Judith Sandalow, executive director of Children's Law Center.  "His work to inform, educate and spur change has improved the health care of children everywhere."

Children's Law Center focuses on providing children in the District of Columbia a solid foundation of family, health and education.  This year's Helping Children Soar benefit will spotlight Children's Law Center's health advocacy, highlighting the accomplishments of its medical-legal partnership with Children's National Medical Center.

Together, doctors and lawyers are uniquely qualified to bring lasting, positive change to children's lives – one profession treats a child's medical concerns and the other helps remove any legal barriers standing in the way of a healthy child.

Additionally, Children's Law Center will honor Covington & Burling with the 2010 Children's Pro Bono Champion Award at its 10th Annual Helping Children Soar Benefit.  

Dr. Gupta and Covington & Burling will accept their awards and provide brief remarks at the sold-out benefit at the Kennedy Center Roof Terrace Restaurant on September 21, 2010.  Members of the media who are interested in attending the event should contact Jeanne Ellinport at 240-643-0770 or [email protected].  

About Children's Law Center

Children's Law Center works to give every child in the District of Columbia a solid foundation of family, health and education.  As the largest provider of free legal services in the District, our 70-person staff partners with local pro bono attorneys to serve 1,200 at-risk children each year.  We use this expertise to advocate for changes in the District's laws, policies and programs.  For more information, visit http://www.childrenslawcenter.org.  

SOURCE Children's Law Center