New
York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg joined the S.L.E. Lupus Foundation
in honoring families dedicated to the fight against lupus at the
organization's “Life Without Lupus” gala on November
20, 2008.
The nation's largest annual benefit for lupus, the gala at
Times Square's Marriott Marquis raised millions of dollars
for patient services, community outreach, and research to find better
treatments and a cure for the systemic autoimmune disease. More than
1.5 million Americans have lupus.
Legendary CBS broadcaster Charles Osgood emceed the evening's
program, which featured a stirring performance from three-time
Tony nominee and star of Lincoln Center 's South
Pacific, Kelli O'Hara.
The Foundation presented its annual Corporate Leadership Award to
Genentech, one of the world's leading biotech companies, in
honor of their commitment and progress in research to find safer
and more effective therapies for people with lupus.
In recognizing the dedication of two families in particular to the
lupus cause—the Paradysz Family of Mill Neck, New York and
the Selkowitz family of Stamford, Connecticut—the gala celebrated
the contribution of all families to finding a cure, raising awareness,
and caring for people with the disease.
The Selkowitz family of four was honored for their exceptional dedication
to the lupus cause on both coasts. Adam now chairs the Foundation's
west coast division. His parents, Betsey and Arty Selkowitz serve
in national leadership positions. Brother Jed is a lupus volunteer
and advocate in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Foundation, headquartered in New York City with west coast offices
in Los Angeles, is the country's preeminent nonprofit organization
providing direct patient services, education, public awareness and
funding for novel lupus research on the national level.
