Ronald M. Bradley Receives Top Recognition as Titan of Business & Philanthropy
WASHINGTON, April 3, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Washington DC business community leaders achieved extraordinary fundraising success on Saturday night at the 21st annual Leukemia Ball. Drawing over 2,500 guests to the Washington Convention Center for one of DC's largest non-political fundraising events, the Leukemia Ball raised over $3.3 million.
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"Each year we are astonished at the fundraising success that this event accomplishes for our mission," says Donna McKelvey, Executive Director for the National Capital Area Chapter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. "The commitment shown tonight by such an extensive network of Washington business leaders is making a tremendous difference for patients and their families across our area. This is an especially critical time to support our mission, as the research we support is making tremendous strides towards finding a cure."
One of the highlights of the night was the recognition of the 2008 Titan of Business and Philanthropy award winner, Ronald M. Bradley, co-founder and former CEO and President of BRADSON Corporation and current President of the Ronald M. Bradley Foundation, Inc., a private foundation focused to support various charitable and educational activities.
"This is an exciting time for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society," says Bradley. "The dedication this group has achieved has led to dramatic improvements in childhood cancer death rates over the past 21 years. By participating in tonight's Leukemia Ball, everyone in this room is helping to support the groundbreaking research funded by this outstanding organization."
"We are so grateful for all of your support in making this evening such an overwhelming success," says event Co-Chair Fernando Murias, Partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers, upon hearing of the amount raised. "The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is well on its way to finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, while continuing to set a high standard for patient services. We thank you for your support this evening and applaud your support for finding a cure."
The black-tie crowd started the evening bidding on hundreds of silent auction items that ranged from trips to world-class destinations to autographed items from celebrity athletes. Many guests were also eager to purchase one of 5,000 Mercedes-Benz raffle tickets, which together with the evening's silent and live auctions ultimately raised a total of $3.3 million for blood cancer research, education, patient services and. Entertainment for the evening included a comedic performance from Tonight Show host, Jay Leno, and musical entertainment provided by Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes.
Murias went on to thank this year's Leukemia Ball sponsors, including the Raffle Presenting Sponsor, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC; Official Airline Sponsor, American Airlines, Congressional Honors Sponsors, Virginia Sheldon Jerome Foundation, Laborers' Charitable Foundation and Eli Lilly and Company; and Founding Sponsors, Hargrove, IEP/MPG, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and United Food & Commercial Workers.
"I would like to recognize the many individuals and organizations who served on our committee, says Joe Kelley, event Co-Chair and Vice President of Government and Public Affairs for Eli Lilly and Company. "Our team of more than 60 individuals from the DC business community was critical to the success of tonight's program."
Celebrating Commitment to Defeating Blood Cancers
The evening featured a special tribute to Congressional Honors recipients, Senator Michael Enzi of Wyoming and the Congresswoman Doris Matsui of California's 5th District. The Congressional Honors awards recognize members of Congress for outstanding achievements in increasing awareness of blood cancer issues on Capital Hill.
About the Leukemia Ball
The Ball began in 1988 as a way for the accounting industry to give back to the community. The event founders chose The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (formerly the Leukemia Society of America) as the beneficiary. In its first year, the Ball attracted 400 guests and raised $80,000.
As the event has grown over the past 21 years, it has enjoyed far-reaching support from every corner of the Metro region's influential business community. Since its inception, the Leukemia Ball has raised more than $34 million dollars. As this support has continued to grow so dramatically, so have the remarkable research results.
For photos or for additional information about the 2008 Leukemia Ball, contact Rebecca Lestner at 703-960-1100 x 237.
About The National Capital Area Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The National Capital Area Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society serves the District, Montgomery, and Prince George's counties in Maryland, as well as Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William counties in Virginia. The National Capital Area Chapter of the Society currently provides services to more than 2,500 patients and families in the Washington metropolitan area. The Leukemia Ball benefits the National Capital Area Chapter of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and helps to further its mission of finding cures for blood cancers and improving the lives of patients and their families. Proceeds from the Ball fund not just research, but also patient services, educational programs and advocacy. The National Capital Area Chapter is the highest revenue-generating chapter of 68 chapters nationwide. For more information about the 2008 Leukemia Ball, please call (703) 960-1100 or visit http://www.leukemiaball.org/ .
Contact: Edith Wooten: 202-452-9415; edithbwooten1@yahoo.com
Rebecca Lestner: 703-960-1100 x 237; rebecca.lestner@lls.org
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The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
