'Elixir' event on Friday, May 18 - Mazzoni Center

Contact: Elisabeth Flynn
Senior Communications Manager
eflynn@mazzonicenter.org
215-563-0652 x 275
MAZZONI CENTER CELEBRATES COMMUNITY ALLIES
WITH ‘ELIXIR: THE CURE FOR THE COMMON GALA’ ON FRIDAY, MAY 18, 2012
Mazzoni Center’s annual celebration and fundraiser returns to Center City this spring
with Elixir: the Cure for the Common Gala, which will take place at the Loews Philadelphia
Hotel (1200 Market Street) on Friday, May 18 from 7:00-10:00 P.M., with a special VIP
reception from 6:00-7:00 P.M. The theme of this year’s <strong>event</strong> is “Celebrating our Allies,” and
to that end Mazzoni Center will recognize a few individuals whose actions, contributions, or
support have made an impact on the health and well-being of the LGBT community. Secretary
of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius will receive the Peter Mazzoni Award, for her
leadership and commitment in addressing specific health issues that impact LGBT Americans,
and improving their access to quality care. Secretary Sebelius will accept the award via video
from Washington, while Joanne Grossi, Regional Director for HHS in Philadelphia, represents
the agency on her behalf.
Former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Joe Valentine will receive the Mazzoni Center Ally
Award. Valentine received attention in 2005 when he revealed to members of the press that he
had been raised by two lesbian mothers. "I just wanted to give them some sort of recognition for
this," he said at the time. "I feel in my heart they did a great job with me, and I thought it would
be nice to just have them see that I appreciated it.” Valentine has become a role model to youth
with gay and lesbian parents throughout the country, and has lent his time name and time to
several organizations promoting fairness and equality for all individuals.

Master of Ceremonies for the Elixir <strong>event</strong> will be Jim Donovan, CBS 3 Eyewitness News
Consumer Reporter.
“Mazzoni Center was founded by volunteers who were both community members and
allies, and we have been fortunate over the years to receive an increasing amount of recognition
and support from individuals and organizations outside the LGBT community,” Mazzoni Center
Executive Director Nurit L. Shein said, adding: “without their involvement we would not have
been able to grow the organization and to make the significant gains for our communities that we
have seen in recent years.”
“Knowing that we have allies on the federal level, like Secretary Sebelius, gives us the
opportunity to address the needs and health concerns of our community,” Shein explained.
“Under her leadership the Department of Health and Human Services has made significant
changes in both pr<strong>event</strong>ion and care that have advanced the well being of LGBT individuals. The
Peter Mazzoni Award is our way of acknowledging the Secretary for her support, and celebrating
what it represents for our communities.”
Guests at this year’s Elixir <strong>event</strong> will enjoy cocktails, a selection of passed hors d'oeuvres
and buffet, musical entertainment by DJ Carl Michaels, plus a silent auction, and more. Newly
crowned Mr. Gay Philadelphia, Sean Green, will also be on hand to mingle with guests.
Guests who purchase VIP tickets will also enjoy complimentary champagne, free valet
parking, plus cocktails, appetizers, and live jazz by the Behn Gillece Duo. All VIP guests will
automatically be entered into a special drawing, and will mingle with honoree Joe Valentine and
some of the <strong>event</strong>’s honorary committee members. Tickets for the VIP <strong>event</strong> are $250, and
general admission tickets are $125. Tickets are available online at: www.mazzonicenter.org
Elixir co-chair and Mazzoni Center Board President Kelly Harris said: “In addition to
celebrating the work of allies who have made a difference, our goal with this <strong>event</strong> is to raise
funds for and awareness about those members of the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities in our
area who continue to need our support and direct services, whether in primary medical care,
mental health, legal, or social service programs.”
Honorary Committee members for this year’s Elixir <strong>event</strong> are: Robert L. Barchi, M.D.,
Ph.D., President, Thomas Jefferson University; the Honorable Blondell Reynolds Brown; Vik

Dewan, President of the Philadelphia Zoo; the Honorable Chaka Fattah; the Honorable Babette
Josephs; Billie Jean King, tennis champion and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient; the
Honorable Mike O’Brien; the Honorable Allyson Schwartz; Susan Sherman, President,
Independence Foundation; the Honorable Mark Squilla; Hudson Taylor (founder of Athlete Ally)
and Lia Parafax.
The <strong>event</strong> has been generously sponsored by: Walgreens, Loews Philadelphia Hotel,
Woody’s, The Philadelphia Gay News, Media Copy, Brian Moss Design, the Tavern Group, and
Cancer Treatment Centers of America.
Tickets and more information are available at: www.mazzonicenter.org or by calling 215-
563-0652 x 218.
About Mazzoni Center
Established in 1979, Mazzoni Center provides quality comprehensive health and
wellness services and is the only health care provider in the Philadelphia region specifically
targeting the unique health care needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)
communities. Mazzoni Center offers a full array of outreach, pr<strong>event</strong>ion, education, direct
medical and care services, psychosocial services, legal services, and support groups, and is
dedicated preserving the dignity and improving the quality of life of the individuals it serves. It
is the oldest AIDS service organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the fourth-
oldest in the U.S. With over 33,000 individuals benefiting annually from its services, Mazzoni
Center is a leader among community-based organizations in the greater Philadelphia area, with a
reputation for excellence and innovation in service delivery to its constituents. More information
at: www.mazzonicenter.org