New York Blood Center’s 2015 gala is the most successful in its history
November 5th, 2015Nonprofit community blood center raises more than $2.1 million to support its lifesaving work
The New York Blood Center (NYBC), a nonprofit, community-based organization that serves more than 20 million people and 200 hospitals in the New York metropolitan area, today announced that its 2015 biennial gala, held at Cipriani 42nd Street in midtown Manhattan on November 5, 2015, was the most successful in its history.
The community nonprofit’s fundraising dinner brought in more than $2.1 million to the nonprofit, nearly $500,000 more than the amount generated through its last event in 2013. This year’s dinner honored IBM, the New York Mets, and NYBC Chairman Howard P. Milstein, all of whom were inducted into NYBC’s Hall of Fame.
“We have seen a tremendous increase in support for the New York Blood Center over the past several months, as we work to save lives through our blood and blood-related products and cutting-edge research,” said NYBC President and CEO Dr. Christopher Hillyer.
A highlight of the evening was an emotional speech by Lauren Shields, a 15-year-old girl from the New York area who needed a heart transplant at age nine. She only survived thanks to hundreds of units of blood provided by NYBC.
“I am so thankful for the work that you do,” Ms. Shields said. “I stand here before you because of that work. Without the transfusions, I would never have made it to my transplant day. It is because of all the hard work that you do that people like me make it to surgery.”
“I hope you go back to your offices tomorrow and share my story,” Ms. Shield said, “but more than that, I hope you share my thanks and gratitude.”
“NYBC is dedicated to helping people,” Dr. Hillyer said. “We save thousands of lives each year by remaining singularly focused on this mission. One need only speak to blood recipients like Lauren to understand the vital work NYBC does for everyone in the community.”
Stanley S. Litow, Vice President of Corporate Citizenship and Corporate Affairs at IBM, said: “We are very proud of our collaboration with the New York Blood Center. All of what we do is based on IBM’s belief that community service is critical, it is important, it is one of the core values of our company. I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of IBM.”
David Newman, Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications for the New York Mets, also spoke of NYBC’s heroic mission: “People look at our players and see heroes, but the real heroes are sitting in this room tonight. Every doctor, donor, corporate contributor—you are all heroes, dedicated to making our community better.”
Mr. Milstein, who has been NYBC Chair for more than 10 years, became the first individual inductee to NYBC’s Hall of Fame. Mr. Milstein said: “I am humbled by this honor, and want to thank all my dedicated colleagues at NYBC who work every day to make this organization the successful, life-saving institution that is.”
“It is a great joy to be involved with an organizations that helps so many people each year,” Mr. Milstein added.
SOURCE: New York Blood Center
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