WASHINGTON—The second annual American Kidney Fund national gala, The Hope Affair, will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 28, at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC.
The Hope Affair will honor kidney patients, renal industry leaders, and policymakers who have made significant progress toward increasing public awareness of kidney disease and improving patient care.
“We are delighted to bring together the nation’s kidney community for The Hope Affair,” said LaVarne A. Burton, president and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. “Our theme this year is ‘Celebrating Inspiration,’ and in keeping with that theme, we will honor some remarkable people. Each of our honorees is making an important contribution to the vital cause of kidney disease awareness and treatment.”
The evening’s honorees are:
- ‘Excellence in Leadership’ Award: Kent J. Thiry, chairman of the board and CEO, DaVita Inc.
- ‘Kidney Patient Leadership’ Award: Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND)
- ‘Kidney Patient Advocate’ Award: Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI)
- ‘Hero of Hope’ Patient Award: Beverly Schroeder, Edenton, NC; Ronnie Glasper, Monroe, LA; Donald Jackson, Capitol Heights, MD; and the Rev. Oliver Johnson, Washington, DC
At a special VIP reception during the event, the American Kidney Fund will recognize two organizations with which it has formed partnerships: NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2010; and the national sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. (AKA). Dr. Griffin P. Rodgers, Director of NIDDK, and Carolyn House Stewart, International President of AKA, will speak at the reception.
The evening’s keynote speaker will be Jane Brody, bestselling author and Personal Health columnist for The New York Times. John Palmer, veteran correspondent and anchor for NBC News, will serve as emcee.
“The cost and impact of chronic health conditions is a top concern of the public and policymakers, and The Hope Affair helps to focus this attention, in particular, on chronic kidney disease, while also raising vital funds for the American Kidney Fund,” said the event’s chair, John P. Butler, president, Personalized Genetic Health at Genzyme. “We are grateful to the many individuals and corporations who are coming out in force to support this event.”
All proceeds from The Hope Affair will directly support the programs and services of the American Kidney Fund. This non-profit organization is the nation’s leading source of treatment-related financial assistance to kidney patients, and a leader in providing health education and prevention outreach to those who are at risk.
