FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 19, 2007
For information contact:  Jillian Fiorella, 716.842.2222, #341

The Seneca Diabetes Foundation will host the second annual Chairman’s Ball Friday, February 9th at the Seneca Niagara Casino & Hotel, Niagara Falls, NY.  The black-tie gala will be held in the Seneca Events Center. Honorary Chairpersons for the event are SDF Foundation Chairman Barry E. Snyder, Sr. and his wife Deanna Snyder (pictured right). The event is co-chaired by Seneca Nation President and Seneca Diabetes Foundation Treasurer Maurice A. John and his wife Karen and Foundation Finance Chairman Michael R. Militello.

The net proceeds from this year’s event will be principally reserved to establish the Seneca Diabetes Foundation Endowment Fund at the Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo.  The purpose of the endowment is to fund critical research in the prevention of diabetes, recruit a top-notch endocrinologist to Western New York to practice at Women and Children’s Hospital in Buffalo, offer mentoring and internship opportunities for Senecas interested in the medical field and provide direct patient care for Seneca Nation members on the territories.  SDF will invest $1.5 million over the next three to five years to fund the endowment. 

“This past year has been tremendously rewarding for SDF,” said Barry E. Snyder, Sr., SDF Chairman. “Monies raised from last year’s successful gala, our 2nd Annual Golf Classic and from individual events are enabling us to make a difference in the education, prevention, cure and treatment of diabetes.”

Last year, SDF and the Independent Health Foundation joined forces to launch the Good for the Neighborhood program on the Seneca territories.  In September 2006, SDF provided funding for two specially-equipped transport vans for Seneca Nation members in need of safe, comfortable transportation to and from dialysis treatment.  SDF has also funded five collegiate scholarships and two high school internships to qualified students pursing careers in areas supporting professional health care and medical services.

Entertainment for the gala will feature music by jazz great Bobby Militello and the Jimmy Tudini Big Band, along with a special performance by the Rising Eagle Dancers, accompanied by Seneca drummer Trevor Jones.  Corporate sponsors will be treated on Saturday, February 10th, to a priceless performance by the legendary Patti LaBelle. All corporate sponsors receive complimentary tickets to the PATTI performance.

Sponsorship packages are available in addition to individual ticket sales. For information please contact Jillian Fiorella at Travers Collins & Company, 716.842.2222, ext, 341 or jfiorella@traverscollins.com. 

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