Lupus Foundation Of America’s National Butterfly Gala

Leaders from government and industry were honored last night for their leadership in encouraging public and private investments in life-saving research, education, and support services for people affected by lupus during the Lupus Foundation of America’s (LFA) National Butterfly Gala in Washington, DC at the Andrew Mellon Auditorium.

This year’s Butterfly Gala, hosted by author and journalist Lee Woodruff, recognized U.S. Surgeon General, Regina M. Benjamin, MD, MBA; H. Thomas Watkins, Chairman, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO); and the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Lupus Caucus Co-Chairs, Representatives Tom Rooney (R-FL-16), William Keating (D-MA-10), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL-18), and Jim Moran (D-VA-8).

[Josh Krajcik, Lisa Pim] Singer Josh Krajcik and 2011 runner-up on THE X FACTOR® received a special welcome from his mom, Lisa Pim, who is living with lupus. He opened the program with a powerful rendition of “At Last.”

“We have seen historic progress in lupus in recent years that would not have been possible without innovative leaders from government and industry working to make a difference in the lives of all those affected by lupus,” said Sandra Raymond, President and CEO of the Lupus Foundation of America. “The Lupus Foundation of America’s Butterfly Gala is an opportunity to recognize our honorees for their significant contributions and their commitment to elevate lupus to a place of prominence on the nation’s health care agenda.”

Other honorees and guests included: Representatives William Keating (D-MA), Jim Moran (D-VA), Tom Rooney (R-FL), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD); Regina Benjamin, Shannon Boxx, James C. Greenwood, Stephen Katz, Carol Ann Petren, Katherine Ruffatto and H. Thomas Watkins.

The LFA’s National Butterfly Gala generates critical funding to help advance the LFA’s mission of improving the quality of life for the estimated 1.5 million Americans living with lupus.

[Lee Woodruff] [H. Thomas Watkins, wins the National Research Innovation and Leadership  award]

[Courtesy photos]