| | CF Foundation Volunteers Raise $2.5 Million at D.C. Gala Featuring “America’s Got Talent” Stars
November 23, 2010
The children of Don Wood, the Breath of Life Gala chair, shared their inspirational story with guests: Rachel, who has CF, and brothers (from left to right) Kevin, Ian and Jason.
Photo by: Rodney Choice of Choice Photography |
On Nov. 13, more than 800 guests attended the Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Chapter’s Breath of Life Gala and raised $2.5 million for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
The dazzling black-tie affair, which is the top fundraising event in the Washington, D.C., area, recognized individuals who have led a life dedicated to humanitarian pursuits.
“The CF Foundation’s innovative approach to research has changed the face of this disease for those living with CF,” said Don Wood, CEO of Federal Realty Investment Trust and chair of the event. “Because of the Breath of Life Gala, we’ve been able to raise nearly $20 million over the past eight years to help support the tremendous progress achieved in fighting this disease.”
Hitchcock Humanitarian Award
This year’s honoree, Pete Babcock of the Cleveland Cavaliers, received the Hitchcock Humanitarian Award for leveraging his positions to create mentoring and life experiences programs for NBA players.
This was a way of continuing their real-life education off the court while giving back to communities across the nation and around the world. This award was created in honor of Alfred Hitchcock in memory of his beloved great-granddaughter Melissa, who lost her battle with CF several years ago at the age of 24.
Ali and Christina Christensen, the singing sisters from America’s Got Talent, performed at the event, which raised $2.4 million for vital CF Foundation programs.
Photo by: Rodney Choice of Choice Photography |
Bid for a Cure
Guests of the gala bid on exciting items during the world-class live and silent auctions, including a fire-engine red 1957 Ford Thunderbird convertible that raised $47,000 and a matching $50,000 gift from the donor.
To inspire and thank attendees following the auctions, Don Wood’s children took the stage. Ian, Jason and Kevin spoke about their wishes and dreams for their sister Rachel, 15, who has CF.
“Rachel and I were born on the same day, in the same hospital, to the same parents,” Kevin said. “I don’t understand why Rachel was born with cystic fibrosis and I wasn’t, but I know one thing for sure: I’m really glad she’s my sister and my twin.”
Singing Sisters Surprise the Crowd
Before the night’s end, guests were treated to a special performance by Ali and Christina Christensen.
The singing sisters, who have CF, performed this summer as finalists in front of more than 12 million viewers on America’s Got Talent, the highest-rated TV series of the season.
At the Breath of Life Gala, the sisters wowed attendees with Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb.”
The Metropolitan Washington, D.C., Chapter would like to thank:
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- Don Wood, CEO of Federal Realty Investment Trust and Event Chair
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- Cameron Pratt, President of Foulger-Pratt Development and Event Vice Chair
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The event’s Diamond sponsors:
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- Federal Realty Investment Trust
- Foulger-Pratt Development
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- Ridgewells Catering
- Don and Stacey Wood
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Its Platinum sponsors:
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- Brickman
- Concur
- The Thomas A. DePasquale Family
- Dynamic Aviation
- Brent and Meg Pratt
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- Innovative Event Production
- Syzygy Event Productions
- Alice and Jim Taylor
- Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz
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And the Gold sponsors:
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- American Airlines Miles for Kids in Need
- CIM
- Closeline Settlements
- Developers Diversified Realty
- Eastdil Secured
- First American Title Insurance Company
- Clayton Foulger
- Fried Frank
- Goodman-Gable-Gould/Adjusters International
- GovConnection
- HZDG
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- J&J Vassalluzzo Foundation
- Katten, Muchin, Rosenman LLP
- L.F. Jennings
- Levin Management Corp.
- Ed and Ellen Nemeroff
- Richard J. Perry, Jr.
- Street-Works Authenticity
- Grant Thornton
- Sid Foulger
- Ventas Healthcare Properties
- Wilkie Farr & Gallagher, LLP
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View more photos from the
Breath of Life event
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