American Diabetes Association to honor community leaders at the ‘Valor Awards Luncheon’
Each year the American Diabetes Association hosts the “Valor Awards Luncheon” to honor those individuals who have made significant business, civic and philanthropic contributions to the community. This year, the Valor Awards will be held on May 11 at the Hyatt Regency Pier 66 in Fort Lauderdale.
The event will be attended by more than 350 of Broward’s most influential business and community leaders. This year’s event will begin at 11:30 a.m. and will include a silent auction. The American Diabetes Association is proud to announce that Gale Butler of AutoNation, Inc. will serve her second term as event co-chair alongside past honoree Tobie Englander Bagliebter of Tobie & Friends, Inc. Lois Herman is the event auction chair and Kristi Krueger will again serve as master of ceremonies.
At this year’s event, an Achievement Award will be presented to cardiologist and President of the American Diabetes Association Broward County Board, Dr. Karan Munuswamy of Holy Cross Medical Group. In addition, these top South Florida leaders will be honored with Valor Awards: Marcia Barry-Smith of BankAtlantic Foundation; Richard Bowers of the Seminole Tribe of Fla, Inc.; Spero Canton of Comcast; Kathleen A. Durham of the South Broward Hospital District; David Guzman of Wachovia – A Wells Fargo Company; Joan Kennedy of Liberty Medical; Jen Klaassens of The Wasie Foundation; Dr. Irving Rosenbaum of Nova Southeastern University; Paul O. Lopez of Tripp Scott, P.A.; and Neil Shoter of Shutts and Bowen, LLP.
This year’s Achievement Award is sponsored by Nipro Diagnostics. Top event sponsors include ; Leo Goodwin Foundation; AutoNation, Inc.; Memorial Healthcare System; Wachovia – A Wells Fargo Company; Broward Health; Liberty Medical; BankAtlantic; Tobie & Friends, Inc.; Tripp Scott, P.A.; JM Family Enterprises; Nova Southeastern University; Holy Cross Hospital and Dwight Stephenson Construction.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, currently 35 percent of Americans have diabetes or pre diabetes. Of these individuals, one in four people who have the disease do not know it. This signature event will help raise funds to support the mission of the American Diabetes Association, which is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by the disease.
