This year, the IMF celebrates 12 years of continuing service and support to the myeloma community with its Ribbon of Hope-Making a World of Difference Gala. Please join us for this very special occasion and celebration on October 5, 2002. Held at the gorgeous Ritz-Carlton, Washington, DC, this event will include reception, dinner, dancing and auctions. The Gala 2002 Honoree is Daniel E. Smith. Mr. Smith is the National Vice President of federal and state government relations for the American Cancer Society (ACS). He is also the founder of One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC). More about Daniel Smith. This year, the IMF is presenting Ribbon of Hope Awards to the Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison and the Honorable Barbara Mikulski. Although best known for her foreign policy and national security work, including leadership on the Airline Security Bill passed after the September 11 attacks, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison has also been active on cancer issues. In 2001, the Senator, whose brother is living with multiple myeloma, introduced the Hematological Cancer Research Investment and Education act to fund research and treatment of blood cancers. The legislation became law in May of 2002. A Ribbon of Hope Award is also being presented to the Honorable Barbara Mikulski. During her tenure in the Senate, Senator Mikulski has been a leader on health care issues, particularly those related to cancer. In 2001, Senator Mikulski was an original co-sponsor of Senator Hutchison?s bill to increase funding for research and treatment of blood cancers. This year's Courage Award is being presented to The Honorable Geraldine Ferraro and Mr. Tom Bay. Geraldine Ferraro made history in 1984 as the first female vice presidential candidate on a major party ticket. The former congresswoman from New York was chosen by Democratic presidential candidate Walter Mondale in 1984 as his running mate against the team of Ronald Reagan and George Bush. Ms. Ferraro, a myeloma patient, has testified before the Senate to bring attention to myeloma, to stress the need for research funding and to try to reduce the time it takes to develop and launch new blood cancer treatments from seven or eight years to two years. She has shown courage in her efforts to help raise awareness and money for blood-cancer research, and is a worthy recipient of the IMF's Courage Award. Tom Bay has had a successful career as a motivational speaker, with more than 5,000 speaking engagements to his credit. With a doctorate and MA in Media Communications, Mr. Bay has been a successful corporate manager, award-winning sales manager and business owner. These activities, as well as other life experiences, form the foundation of his speaking career. Tom has also been a speaker at the IMF's Patient & Family Seminars, and delivers a positive message regarding decreasing stress and rekindling your enthusiasm for life and work. Tom is clearly someone who "practices what he preaches" - he is a myeloma survivor, and has demonstrated time and again that he is a worthy recipient of the IMF's Courage Award. We are truly grateful that these two people are helping us fight the fight against cancer, providing hope to the cancer community. The Master of Ceremonies will be the inimitable Robin Leach of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous." The event is chaired this year by Carol and "Trooper" Benson Klein. We hope you will join in the fun - it's your party too! This year's Live and Silent Auctions are going to be spectacular! Here are but a few of the items that will be up for auction: And many many more fantastic packages.
You can download information on how you can be a part of this event and show your support for myeloma patients worldwide.
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