2018 Project HOPE Gala
On October 9th, 2018, Project HOPE celebrated its 60th Anniversary Annual Gala: "Empowering Hands of HOPE" at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington D.C. The inspirational evening marked not only a milestone in our sixty-year legacy of excellence in global health, but also further strengthened our focus on achieving our mission of empowering health care workers all over the globe to save lives.
An inspiring evening
Tuesday October 9th of 2018 marked a very special occasion for Project HOPE. A global community of humanitarians consisting of supporters, partners, leaders in global health and beneficiaries came together to celebrate Project HOPE’s sixty-year legacy, our recent brand identity transformation, and a future of continued excellence in global health. The evening was inspiring and festive as we celebrated the impact we’ve made on countless lives across the globe over the many years. At the same time, the evening was reflective and stirring as we realized how much work there still is to be done.
Highlights of the evening
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History of HOPE
Chairman of the Project HOPE Board of Directors for the past 7 years and former CEO of Merck & Co., Inc. Mr. Richard Clark introduces the Legacy of HOPE video, as he reflects on sixty years of HOPE and the deep roots of his connection to the organization.
“Helping health care workers get access to the training and technology they need has proven to be the most effective way to transform public health. HOPE’s enduring commitment to lead – to transform – to empower – is truly life-changing and life-saving.”
Watch the History of HOPE video
The Lifetime of Health Award
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Medical Officer of Project HOPE, Thomas Kenyon, M.D., M.P.H., speaks about his own history with Project HOPE, and that the progress that has been made in global health over the past 20 years has been nothing less than extraordinary, thanks to leadership, having the tools health workers need, and of course financial support to make things happen.
“HIV incidence and mortality has been cut in half, deaths in pregnant women and children have been cut in half, 80% of children have been vaccinated, and life expectancy has surpassed 70 years – and we at Project HOPE have been privileged to do our part in that success.”
But the world can do better, and needs to do better and that’s why we need your support.
Project HOPE recognized Merck & Co., Inc. our oldest corporate partner as our Lifetime of Health Honoree and Dr. Kenyon welcomes Dr. Julie Gerberding, Chief Patient Officer, Strategic Communications, Global Public Policy and Population Health, on stage to accept the award. Since the beginning of our partnership, Merck has provided financial support and donations of medicines and vaccines totaling more than a half-billion dollars, while together, our joint programs have addressed some of the world’s most pressing health challenges.
Watch the Legacy of HOPE video
Keynote Address by Former First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Laura Bush
Honoree, guest speaker, true humanitarian and friend of HOPE, former First Lady of the United States, Mrs. Laura Bush, delivers an inspiring keynote address, reflecting on global health challenges we’ve confronted in the past and in some cases overcome, as well as the challenges that lie ahead of us. We thank Mrs. Bush for her uplifting account of the road towards realizing our vision of a world where everyone has access to health care, and feel reinvigorated to fulfill our mission to empower the hands that deliver HOPE to those in need all over the world.
“Honoring its mission to forge human connections through the universal language of healthcare, Project HOPE is building a unique legacy by saving lives and training successive generations of doctors and nurses thereby ensuring that children all over the world can live healthy and productive lives and for that I am sincerely grateful.”
The Global Health Beneficiary Award
Very special guest, nine-year old Nayeli Pagan from Humacao, Puerto Rico, whose story is a perfect example of the work that Project HOPE has been doing around the world for sixty years, is this year’s recipient of the Global Health Beneficiary Award.
“We’ve saved thousands of lives by providing emergency care and then staying-put to address the long-term issues, mainly to support and train doctors, nurses and health workers; and to help repair wrecked public health systems so they function for generations to come.”
Nayeli and her mother and father, Rosalyn and Omar, are invited on stage to accept the award. Nayeli thanks Project HOPE for bringing her lifesaving medication – a year of insulin supplies – when power outages caused by Hurricane Maria threatened her life.
Watch the video about Nayeli’s story or read more here
“You do not know when something is going to happen to you. It was our turn today. It may be your turn tomorrow. And you have to give to receive.”
Thank you for your support
The gala is an opportunity for Project HOPE to thank our generous supporters and dedicated partners that help make our crucial lifesaving work possible every day.
Many wise and happy people realize that life is really about service to others. Project HOPE is one way to bring that priceless gift of connection with our fellow human beings who are in need. This enriches our lives as much as it benefits them. Project HOPE remains committed to working on difficult challenges, bringing innovative solutions while respecting local ownership. Partnerships bring HOPE to communities across the globe; every day and in times of crisis.
There are many more ways to support Project HOPE.
- Join HOPE Lifters, our monthly giving program.
- Look into your options for planned giving.
- Volunteer your time and expertise.
- Connect with us and help us spread the word on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
“This is HOPE’s 60th year and it brings to mind an old saying about legacy – “we stand on the shoulders of giants.” I have this vision of a gala 60 years from now, HOPE’s 120th anniversary – actually, a bit hard to contemplate. But, I have a picture of someone standing up here thinking back to all of you, and saying, “yes, there were giants then.”