JDRF Honors the Legacy of Mary Tyler Moore at 45th Annual Promise Ball during National Diabetes Awareness Month

NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- November is National Diabetes Awareness Month, and JDRF, the leading organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research, will honor and promise to remember the late Mary Tyler Moore for her life-long commitment to finding a cure for T1D and its complications at the 45^th Annual Promise Ball. The event will be held on Tuesday, November 14 at the Cipriani 42^nd Street in New York City. Local New York City philanthropists Nick and Anastasia Brien will be honored with the Humanitarian of the Year award at the event.

Mary Tyler Moore was not only a beloved actress; she was a beacon of hope and a champion for the T1D community. She was first diagnosed with T1D at the age of 33, and in 1984, she became the International Chairman of JDRF. Her tireless work, alongside JDRF founders, volunteers and staff, and her promise to do all she could to help achieve a world without T1D had positive effects on countless lives, undoubtedly accelerating progress toward delivering a cure and new therapies to ease the daily burdens of T1D. Mary was one of JDRF's first donors of more than a million dollars, and she generously lent her voice to advocating for curing T1D and its complications – testifying to Congress, increasing public awareness, and helping to raise billions of dollars to fund scientific advances in research that today are helping to reduce the impact of T1D in people's lives.

"Mary was an American treasure who lit up the screen with endearing performances that made her beloved by millions," said Derek Rapp, president and CEO of JDRF. "But for those of us whose lives have been impacted by this life-threatening disease, it was her off-screen role as a person living with T1D and a champion for the T1D community that will be her most enduring legacy."

At the top of the evening's proceedings will be a special video tribute to Mary along with remarks from long-time JDRF International Board member and former Chair of Research, Dr. Sandra Puczynski, Mary's husband, Dr. S. Robert Levine, and Derek Rapp.

Nick and Anastasia Brien will be honored with the Humanitarian of the Year award. Nick, who was recently appointed CEO of Dentsu Aegis Network Americas and U.S., has more than 30 years of experience in a number of leading global roles, including Global CEO of iCrossing, CEO of McCann Worldgroup and President of Hearst Magazines Marketing Services. Throughout his career, he has also held leadership positions at IPG Mediabrands, Arc Worldwide, Leo Burnett and Starcom working with global marketers, such as Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Nestle, L'Oreal, Intel, Mastercard, General Motors, IKEA and American Airlines.  

“We’re honored to be recognized at this year’s Promise Ball,” said Nick. “JDRF is committed to the fight against T1D, supporting research that is improving the quality of life for Anastasia, our daughter Delilah and others living with the disease. Most importantly, they are working to find a find a cure, which remains our family’s ultimate goal.”

Nick and Anastasia began their journey with JDRF in March of 2008, when Delilah was diagnosed with T1D at the age of five. Through the TrialNet screening program, Anastasia was later diagnosed in 2010. Over the last 10 years, they have made it their mission to find a cure for T1D in their lifetime. Nick has served on both the JDRF National and New York City Chapter board of directors. They are active and generous supporters of numerous events, including the annual New York City JDRF One Walk, in which their Team Delilah has raised more than $200,000 to date. Anastasia has also served as co-chair of the JDRF Westchester/ Fairfield/Hudson Valley Chapter Catwalk event, and she and Delilah both serve as spokespeople for JDRF at fundraising and awareness events throughout the region.

"We're so proud to present the Humanitarian of the Year award to Nick and Anastasia Brien, who have gone above and beyond in serving the T1D community with their business, communication, public speaking and fundraising skills," said Rapp. "Over the past 10 years, both Nick and Anastasia have demonstrated unwavering commitment, lending their time and resources to help advance JDRF's mission to cure, prevent and treat type 1 diabetes and its complications."

The Promise Ball, hosted by CNN Money and Politics Correspondent Cristina Alesci, will include cocktails, dinner sponsored by Mount Sinai, as well as a live and silent auction. There will also be special appearances by ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter and celebrity chef Anne Burrell.

The New York Chapter's Promise Ball is JDRF's longest-running annual event and one of the city's premiere occasions. Past honorees include Kevin Kline, Steve Ross and Barry Sternlicht. More than 450 corporate, social, entertainment, media and JDRF volunteer leaders are expected to attend this year in support of JDRF.

Proceeds from the event will go toward JDRF's mission to cure, prevent and treat T1D. Through the years, the Promise Ball has raised more than $71 million for diabetes research, including more than $2.4 million last year.

For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, please visit www.nyc.jdrf.org/promiseball45 or contact Tara Lee at 212-478-4324, [email protected].

About T1D
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which a person's pancreas stops producing insulin, a hormone that enables people to get energy from food. It occurs when the body's immune system attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, called beta cells. While its causes are not yet entirely understood, scientists believe that both genetic factors and environmental triggers are involved. Its onset has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. There is nothing you can do to prevent T1D, and—at present—nothing you can do to get rid of it.

About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization funding type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Our mission is to accelerate life-changing breakthroughs to cure, prevent and treat T1D and its complications. To accomplish this, JDRF has invested more than $2 billion in research funding since our inception. We are an organization built on a grassroots model of people connecting in their local communities, collaborating regionally for efficiency and broader fundraising impact, and uniting on a national stage to pool resources, passion, and energy. We collaborate with academic institutions, policymakers, and corporate and industry partners to develop and deliver a pipeline of innovative therapies to people living with T1D. Our staff and volunteers throughout the United States and our six international affiliates are dedicated to advocacy, community engagement and our vision of a world without T1D. For more information, please visit jdrf.org or follow us on Twitter: @JDRF

SOURCE JDRF

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