Mazzoni Center Celebrates Local 'Leading Ladies' And Their Contributions To LGBT Health And Wellness At May 18 Event

PHILADELPHIA, April 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Mazzoni Center's annual celebration and fundraiser, Elixir: the Cure for the Common Gala, will take place at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel (1200 Market Street) on Saturday, May 18 from 7:00-10:00 P.M., with a VIP reception from 5:30-7:00 P.M.  This year's theme is "Leading Ladies," and to that end Mazzoni Center will recognize a few outstanding female leaders who, in their professional and/or volunteer activities, have advanced the cause of LGBT health and wellness, HIV/AIDS care and services, and civil rights.  Tickets for Elixir are on sale now at: www.mazzonicenter.org.   

Marla Gold, M.D., Dean of the Drexel University School of Public Health, will be the recipient of this year's Peter Mazzoni Award, in recognition of her pioneering achievements and contributions to HIV care and public health in Philadelphia, and her advocacy on behalf of LGBT health and wellness.  Among the many initiatives Dr. Gold has launched at the School since becoming Dean in 2002 is the Program for LGBT Health, as well as a new online LGBT health certificate program.  She is the only "out" dean at any of the nation's approximately 50 schools of public health. 

Also being honored at this year's Elixir event are: Christina Kallas-Saritsoglou, co-founder of Philly AIDS Thrift store, and a long-time supporter of HIV/AIDS service organizations in the city and region, who will receive the 2013 Ally Award; and LGBT community activist and educator Jaci Adams, who will receive the 2013 Activist Leader Award.

Elixir Co-Chair and Mazzoni Center Board President Kelly Harris said: "We are thrilled to recognize these remarkable women for their achievements and contributions to the LGBT communities.  Each of them has worked in their own way to advance the health and wellness of our communities, and also helped to create an environment where our concerns are recognized and supported by others in the city and region." 

Proceeds from the event will help expand women's health services at Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine (809 Locust Street), including the purchase of specialized equipment to perform critical cancer screenings for women, and the addition of more female providers to the medical staff.

"Our goal with the women's health initiative is to increase access to and affordability of key health screenings and services for women, particularly for uninsured and/or underinsured women from the lesbian, bisexual, and transgender communities," Mazzoni Center Executive Director Nurit Shein said.

Master of Ceremonies for Elixir will be 13-time Emmy Award-winner Jim Donovan, CBS 3 Eyewitness News Consumer Reporter.

Guests will enjoy an open bar and plentiful food throughout the evening, entertainment by jazz vocalist and Philadelphia native Dena Underwood, vocal trio Hotsy-Totsy, and DJ Carl Michaels, plus a silent auction, and more. VIP tickets are $250, and general admission tickets are $125.  Tickets available online at: www.mazzonicenter.org.

About Mazzoni Center

Established in 1979, Mazzoni Center provides quality comprehensive health and wellness services and is the only health care provider in the Philadelphia region specifically targeting the unique health care needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities. Mazzoni Center offers a full array of outreach, prevention, education, direct medical and care services, psychosocial services, LGBT legal services, and support groups, and is dedicated preserving the dignity and improving the quality of life of the individuals it serves.  It is the oldest AIDS service organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the fourth-oldest in the U.S.  More information at:  www.mazzonicenter.org 

Contact: Elisabeth Flynn
Senior Communications Manager
[email protected]
215-563-0652 x 275

SOURCE Mazzoni Center