Diabetes Research; Party was Great Success. FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT. generous supporters of Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation coast to coast. …
Contact: Barbara Rose
203-854-0658
Fairfield JDRF Spring Gala Raises 16MM for
Diabetes Research; Party was Great Success
FAIRFIELD COUNTY, CT - The JDRF Fairfield County Chapters 26th Annual
Spring Gala, Soaring to a Cure, Let the Dream Take Flight soared to an
amazing level and raised more than 16 million on n Saturday, March 31,
2007 at The Westin Stamford
The honorees, Janelle and Dave Shaffer of Rancho Santa Fe, CA received
tribute for their generous supporters of Juvenile Diabetes Research
Foundation coast to coast Richard J Harrington of Westport, president and
CEO of The Thomson Corporation in Stamford served as this years Corporate
Dinner Chair and led his committee to raised over more than 700,000 in
corporate sponsorships Dave Shaffer is a former executive vice president
for The Thomson Corporation
Fund A Cure, funds raised auction style 100 for diabetes research, also
topped previous successes with 518,000 This success was attributed in
part to the captivating speaker, 17-year-old Patricia Culligan of Newtown
who enthralled the audience with her personal story along with
the
inspiring video
The traditional Childrens Art Project, this year a hot air balloon quilt,
was sewn by the chapter kids and designed and created by Chris Winrow of
Wilton, Valerie McConnaughy of New Canaan and Dona Garnett of Darien
stunned everyone It sold for 14,000, and here after will hang for the
next year in the lobby of the ATT Headquarters to be sold to the highest
bidder and the proceeds returned to JDRF
This incredible successful event was the culmination of nearly a year of
planning led by gala co-chairs Lori Davis of Wilton and Jennifer
Fitzpatrick of Darien and their dedicated and capable committee, volunteers
and the JDRF staff JDRF especially recognizes Jody Brefere, Event Planner
of Greenwich, CT for interpreting this evenings vision of flight and
imagination as well as other committee leaders Debbie Eck of Fairfield,
Annemarie Kretschmann of Westport, Trisha Lewis of Bethel, Rosemary
Roberto and Marlene Tas both of Darien, Jeanne Knox of Greenwich, and
Suzanne Turner of Easton
Over the last 10 years, those who attended this years JDRFs event and
those who have joined us in the past, have invested more than 20 million
dollars in our pursuit of a cure
With this investment, JDRF is leading
scientific advances that have resulted in improving the lives of so many
It takes leadership, collaboration, and investment to achieve scientific
advances The success of this event highlights the exemplary leadership
and collaboration by our corporate partners and our families, remarked
Dikran Yapoujian of Easton, the president of the JDRF Fairfield County
Chapter
The JDRF specifically mentioned its appreciation for the contributions made
by: The Horizon Club Cruisers: Key Investment Inc, Nestle Waters North
America, The Parthenon Group, PepsiCo, Inc, The Price Family Foundation
The Thomson Corporation, and The Woodbridge Company Limited The JDRF
wishes to offer its special gratitude to UST for its generosity UST has
been a gracious donor and supporter of JDRF for over 10 years, a true
advocate for a cure
It was a fun and well-executed evening that began the moment you stepped
into the Westin Hotel Guests were greeted by the sight of a colorful hot
air balloon reminiscent of the first hot air balloon launched in 1783 on
the grounds of the Royal Palace in Versailles, France Costumed Louis XVI
of France and Queen Marie Antoinette greeted and
entertained our guests
simulating their attendance at the historical event The hot-air balloon
symbolized the organizations hopes and dreams of finding a cure and living
free from diabetes
JDRF, the leading charitable funder and advocate of type 1 diabetes
research worldwide, was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with
type 1 diabetes - a disease which strikes children suddenly, makes them
insulin-dependent for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating
complications
Since inception, JDRF has provided more than 900 million in direct funding
to diabetes research More than 83 percent of JDRFs expenditures directly
support research and research-related education JDRFs mission is
constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the
support of research For volunteer opportunities, donations or information,
call 203-854-0658 or visit wwwjdrforg/fairfieldcounty
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