Leading Suicide Prevention Organization Raises Over $400,000 in One Star-Studded Night

News provided by

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

May 08, 2015, 01:36 ET

NEW YORK, May 8, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The nation's largest suicide prevention organization, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention held its 27^th Annual Lifesavers Gala on Wednesday, May 6^th in New York City. Hosted this year by the distinguished Emmy-winning journalist and national correspondent Kate Snow of NBC News, this event honored those who have made significant contributions in the past year to suicide prevention.

27th Annual Lifesavers Gala of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy (Founder, Kennedy Forum and One Mind), Lauren Paul and Molly Thompson (Co-Founders, Kind Campaign), Dr. David Gunnell (Researcher, University of Bristol), Kate Snow (distinguished Emmy-winning journalist and national correspondent, NBC News), and Ryan Anderson (Forward, the New Orleans Pelicans).

27th Annual Lifesavers Gala of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Aaron Paul, Lauren Paul (Co-Founder Kind Campaign), Debra Parsekian, Letetia Stroud, Molly Thompson (Co-Founder Kind Campaign)

27th Annual Lifesavers Gala of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: Dr. Antony Loebel (Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc.), Nancy Farrell (Chairwoman, Board of Directors, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention), Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy (Founder, Kennedy Forum and One Mind), and Robert Gebbia (CEO, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention).

Notable attendees included Breaking Bad Actor Aaron Paul, who came to support his wife, Lauren Paul, who was receiving the Public Education Award for co-founding the Kind Campaign, New York Knicks Power Forward Jason Smith, American Psychiatric Association President-Elect Dr. Maria Oquendo, and To Write Love On Her Arms (TWLOHA) Founder Jamie Tworkowski.

Held at Jazz at Lincoln Center, this black tie event included an awards ceremony with four major awards given. The night raised over $400,000 – money AFSP will use to fund research, offer educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support those affected by suicide.

The Humanitarian Award
Presented to the Honorable Patrick J. Kennedy, Founder of the Kennedy Forum and One Mind, for his years of service in fighting for mental health and suicide prevention, including introducing the landmark Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008. After the speech in which Kennedy accepted the award, the audience was brought to their feet in solidarity with the message Kennedy shared of the importance of making mental health care available to all Americans.

The Survivor Award
Presented by Sports Illustrated Journalist, Chris Ballard, the Survivor Award was given to Ryan Anderson, Forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, for his courage to speak publicly about the loss of his girlfriend Gia Allemand and the impact this suicide had on his life. Sports Illustrated published an extensive article about Ryan's suicide loss.

The Public Education Award
Lauren Paul and Molly Thompson, Co-Founders of the Kind Campaign, were presented with the Public Education Award for starting an anti-bullying program for teenage girls and others. An internationally recognized movement, the Kind Campaign is a documentary and school program based upon the powerful belief in KINDness, that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-against-girl "abuse."

The Research Award
Dr. David Gunnell, Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Bristol, was recognized with the 2015 Research Award for the work he has done on bridge barriers and reducing access to other means as a way to prevent suicide. Dr. Gunnell presented the results of his research at the AFSP Annual Research Dinner at the Lotos Club on May 5.

A special video tribute to beloved actress and comedian Joan Rivers, who served as an AFSP honorary director and supporter for more than 20 years, was shared with guests and included personal messages from Melissa Rivers and AFSP CEO Bob Gebbia.

The Lifesavers Gala was chaired by Antony Loebel, MD, Executive Vice President & Chief Medical Officer at Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. In addition to the awards ceremony, a silent auction gave attendees an opportunity to bid on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Today Show, NY Rangers Henrik Lunqvist Autographed Jersey, an oil painting by NY based artist Ross Bleckner, trips to Antigua, Barbados, Panama, and a guitar autographed by Eric Clapton.

*More photos available upon request.

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention leads the fight against suicide. We fund research, offer educational programs, advocate for public policy, and support those affected by suicide. Led by CEO Robert Gebbia and headquartered in New York, AFSP has 75 local chapters with programs and events nationwide. Review our Annual Report to learn more about AFSP's life-saving work, and join the national conversation on suicide prevention by following AFSP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.