The Champions of Sports and Entertainment to Honor the Champions of Lupus

2/24/2003

From: Duane Peters of the Lupus Foundation of America 301-670-9292 ext. 17 or peters@lupus.org

ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 24 -- The champions of sports, entertainment, and politics are honoring the champions of lupus at the first ever Champion to Champion Awards Gala on Tuesday, May 6, 2003 in Washington, DC. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush are the honorary chairs of the Champion to Champion Awards Gala. The distinguished honorees for this event are: Former Congresswoman Carrie Meek; Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee C.W. "Bill" Young; Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Sub-Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Senator Tom Harkin; and President and Executive Director of The Pfizer Foundation Chuck Hardwick. These "champions" have been leading the fight against lupus. Tony, Grammy, and Emmy Award winning composer, pianist, and vocalist Marvin Hamlisch will perform during the awards gala.

The Champion to Champion Awards Gala will take place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 22nd and M Street NW, Washington, DC, reception beginning at 6:30 p.m. and dinner starting at 7:30 p.m. This special event will showcase and pay tribute to individuals who have championed the cause of lupus and provided exceptional leadership and commitment to improving the health and quality of life for millions of Americans affected by lupus and other diseases. Champions from the sports and entertainment industry will present the awards during the Champion to Champion Awards Gala.

The proceeds from the Gala will support research and awareness programs of the Lupus Foundation of America. Lupus is a widespread, life-diminishing, and potentially life-threatening disease that causes the immune system to attack the body's own tissues and organs, such as the kidneys, heart, lungs, brain, blood, or skin.

Lupus affects 1.5 million Americans, and is two to three times more common among African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans.

The Lupus Foundation of America is the nation's leading non-profit voluntary health organization dedicated to improving the diagnosis and treatment of lupus, supporting individuals and families affected by the disease, increasing awareness of lupus among health professionals and the public, and finding the cure.

For more information about the Gala, please visit the LFA website at www.lupus.org or contact Scott Williamson, Director of Special Events, at 301-670-9292 ext.16.