Greater New York Chapter Of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Celebrates 60th Anniversary And Raises More Than $2 Million For Research To Find A Cure
CBS Anchor Scott Pelley and Director of National Health Institutes Dr. Francis S. Collins Honor CF Pioneer Robert J. Beall
NEW YORK, Nov. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater New York Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation today announced it raised more than $2 million at its 60th anniversary gala Nov. 19. Hosted by "CBS Evening News" Anchor and Managing Editor Scott Pelley at the famed Cipriani 42nd Street, the event honored former President and CEO Robert J. Beall, Ph.D., for his three and a half decades of service and leadership to the Foundation.
"Dr. Beall dreamed, we dreamed and this community – team CF –has proven to the world that we can change this disease and make dreams come true. Where we are today is truly amazing but we are not done. Our dream is that 100 percent of individuals with CF have life-changing therapies." said Preston Campbell III, M.D., president and CEO of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, who spoke at the event. "Because of Dr. Beall, our story is one of unparalleled success, and because of him, our future offers the promise of even better things to come."
The program also included remarks from Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D, director of the National Institutes of Health; Robert S. Kaplan, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas; Doris F. Tulcin, a CF Foundation founding parent and chair emeritus; former Boston Bruin Gordon Kluzak and a surprise video greeting from Wayne Gretzky.
Funds raised by the CF Foundation will further the groundbreaking research that has resulted in dramatic advances in treatment and care. Once a pediatric disease, for the first time in history more than half of people with CF are over the age of 18. Nearly every CF drug available today was made possible through the CF Foundation's successful drug development model, pioneered by Dr. Beall.
"Virtually every philanthropy out there looks to Dr. Beall's model as the pathway to success," said Pelley during the gala. "We may never know how many diseases are cured in this world because of his concept of philanthropic entrepreneurism."
"Bob is one part genius, one part visionary, and one part browbeater," Dr. Collins said. "He is someone who has never been willing to settle. As a result, what we have accomplished in CF research is a beacon of hope for many people looking to find cures for other diseases."
Dr. Beall accepted the "Breath of Life Award" to a standing ovation from more than 500 volunteers, business leaders, people with CF and their families, and distinguished scientists and clinicians.
"I want to thank you all for giving me the opportunity to make a difference," said Dr. Beall. "I was able to do so because I've never met a community like this one, so courageous as they deal with their own kids who are sick, yet functioning as a collaborative community. We've gone part of the way but there's a lot more to be done to find a cure for cystic fibrosis, and the new leadership is going to get us there."
There are more ways to help the cystic fibrosis community. Following the widely recognized days for shopping, Black Friday and Cyber Monday, The Greater New York Chapter of the CF Foundation is challenging New Yorkers to participate in Giving Tuesday, a national day of giving back. Supporters are asked to perform a random act of kindness, share a picture of their kind act and tag it on social media with #60KindActs and #GivingTuesday hashtags. Participants can take it a step further by donating in the amount of $6, $60, $600 or $6,000+ in honor of the Foundation's 60th Anniversary: http://fightcf.cff.org/manhattan-anf.
About the Greater New York Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Led by Executive Director Martine Denis, the Greater New York Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is located at 424 Madison Avenue in NYC, and also has offices in Westchester and Nassau Counties. A donor-supported nonprofit organization, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic fibrosis. The Foundation funds more cystic fibrosis research than any other organization, and nearly every CF drug available today was made possible because of Foundation support. For more information, please visit www.cff.org/manhattan. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @cff_gnyc or Facebook.com/CFFGreaterNY.
Contact:
Marissa Hermo
201-962-5983
[email protected]
SOURCE Greater New York Chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
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