American Kidney Fund presents
The Hope Affair
Making news.  Leading the way.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The Newseum
555 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC

Thanks to the generosity of the many individuals and corporations who are joining in the fight against kidney disease, our national gala, The Hope Affair, raised more than $600,000! More than 350 guests enjoyed a wonderful evening at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 6. A special thank you to the 2009 Event Chair, Kent Thiry, Chairman and CEO of DaVita, Inc.

Check back soon for news about The Hope Affair 2010!

Wolf Blitzer, Anchor of CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, emcees The Hope Affair at the Newseum.

Kent Thiry, Chairman and CEO of DaVita, Inc., and Chair of The Hope Affair along with LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund, present the Kidney Patient Advocate Award to Congresswoman Donna Christensen, M.D. (D-VI).

Kent Thiry, Chairman and CEO, DaVita, with LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO, American Kidney Fund, and Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), recipient of the Kidney Patient Champion Award.

Emma Willis, a winner of AKF’s art contest for kids with kidney disease, and Mats Wahlstrom, Co-CEO of Fresenius Medical Care North America, present the Kidney Patient Rising Star Award to Congressman Devin Nunes (R-CA).  Mats Walhstrom is a Co-Chair of The Hope Affair.

Michael Russell, left, and American Kidney Fund Board Member Jerome Russell, right, with Congressman John Lewis (D-GA), recipient of the Kidney Patient Champion Award. Jerome Russell donated a kidney to his brother Michael four years ago.

Neera Tanden, senior adviser, Office of Health Reform, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, discusses health reform and kidney patients during the VIP reception at The Hope Affair.

Michael Ryan, General Manager and Vice President, Amgen Renal, and Co-Chair of The Hope Affair shares the spotlight with LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO, American Kidney Fund.

From left, Ron Kuerbitz, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer, Fresenius Medical Care; John Butler, President, Genzyme Renal; LeAnne Zumwalt, Vice President, DaVita; Kent Thiry, Chairman and CEO, DaVita; and David R. Bobbitt, Vice President, Development and Field Operations, American Kidney Fund.

Congressman John Conyers Jr. (D-MI), with Kent Thiry, Chairman and CEO, DaVita.

American Kidney Fund Board of Trustees Chair Ronald E. Frieson and his wife, Belinda Stubblefield, President of R&B Ventures, with Wolf Blitzer, Anchor of CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer.

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