JDRF PROMISE BALL 2012 RAISES OVER $800,000
Phoenix, AZ -On Saturday, January 21, more than 500 guests gathered at The Phoenician Resort to celebrate the 12th anniversary of The Promise Ball for the JDRF Desert Southwest Chapter. The evening’s goal was to raise funds to help find a cure, treatment and prevention for type 1 diabetes. The event raised over $800,000. The Ball included cocktails, dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions and a special appearance by musician and celebrity honoree Bret Michaels.
“We are thrilled to have raised so much money at this year’s Promise Ball and Bret was instrumental in making that happen”, said Ken Brissa. JDRF Executive Director. “Bret is selfless when it comes to using his celebrity and influence to raise money and awareness for JDRF and our cause.” Michaels’ live auction items, a destination concert on a private plane and autographed guitars, raised $78,000. Michaels was honored with the Tom Crawford Power of One Award, named after the late father of a type 1 son and JDRF advocate.
This year’s Promise Ball theme was A Galaxy of Possibilities. Attendees included Vicki Santo and Linda Santo-Brown, the wife and daughter of Ron Santo who was recently named to Major League Baseball’s Hall of Fame. Santo, a Scottsdale resident, passed away in December 2010. To recognize his decades of support for JDRF the Arizona Walks will be named the “Walk to Cure Diabetes Celebrating Ron Santo” starting in 2012.
About the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation:
JDRF was founded in 1970 by the parents of children with juvenile diabetes-a disease that strikes children suddenly, makes them insulin-dependent for life and carries the constant threat of devastating complications. Since its inception, JDRF has provided nearly $1.3 billion to diabetes research worldwide. More than 80 percent of JDRF’s expenditures directly support research and research-related education. JDRF’s mission is constant: to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. For more information about JDRF, visit http://www.jdrfdsw.com
JDRF Contact: Ken Brissa, 602-224-1800
Bret Michaels Contact: Steve Martinez, SME Entertainment Group, LLC 310-207-2233
Phoenix Marketing Associates manages the JDRF Southwest Chapter’s marketing communications and social media campaign strategies.
