Swing for the Stars a Smashing Success

La La Brooks, center, sung a six-song set at the end of the evening

The second Swing for the Stars gala held Nov. 29 in downtown New York City was a night to recognize the contributions of doctors, raise money to further the Foundation’s mission and to spend time with friends in an elegant setting. Put on by the Foundation and the Tri-State Chapter, the gala was a magical evening complete with great food, wonderful company, laughs, and entertainment.

Three doctors were honored for their contributions to the scleroderma community. Albany, N.Y. rheumatologist Lee Shapiro, M.D., and New York City gastroenterologists Barry Jaffin, M.D. and Anthony Weiss, M.D., were presented the Distinguished Physician Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Foundation.

WCBS-TV meteorologist Lonnie Quinn served as master of ceremonies and auctioneer. Energetic and enthusiastic, Quinn was able to sway guests to bid higher and higher for prized live auction items, which included signed guitars by Jon Bon Jovi, and Little Steven, a mainstay in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. However, the item that fetched the most money ($4,000) was lunch for four with Quinn.

LaLa Brooks, former lead singer of the band The Crystals, sung a six-song set at the end of the evening, which included her hits, “Da, Doo Run, Run” and “Then He Kissed Me.”

Many thanks to the gala’s sponsors: Actelion Pharmaceuticals, Gilead Sciences, the law firm of Dewey & LeBeouf, Lloyds U.S., the Witkoff Group, and Gibbs and Soell Public Relations.

More coverage and pictures from the gala will be available in the March 2008 issue of the ”Scleroderma Voice.”