Evening Affair with the Foundation of the NLA

Blackjack, Poker, and 21 Card Pickup tables framed the low-lit, white-draped room. Strobe lights moved with the music and the feet on the dance floor drove the beat. The pulse of the 2022 Foundation of the NLA Gala, which celebrated the NLA’s 20th anniversary and supported the Foundation’s efforts, was “tachycardic”. The Foundation Gala was held during the 2022 Annual Scientific Sessions on June 4th in Scottsdale, Arizona. We had more than 100 people attend this casino themed event where guests could purchase chips to play the card tables for the foundation’s benefit. Don’t think stakes weren’t high for these winnings, a little friendly competition for a good cause seems to turn NLA members into high rollers! Few won bragging rights that evening, but all made incredible contributions to our Foundation, and for that, we could not be more thankful. We are particularly grateful for the individuals, chapters, and members of industry who sponsored tables for this event, so attendees could have a sit-down meal together. As guests enjoyed their spread, I had the honor of presenting Dr. Peter Jones the 2022 Clinician Educator Award. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Jones, his energy is infectious and the passion he radiates for his patients can’t be missed. New this year, we have instilled the annual Anne C. Goldberg Service award, for those who have made incredible contributions to the foundation, like the award’s namesake. There would be no individuals more fitting for the first Anne C. Goldberg Service award than the late Ralph Vicari, MD and Paul Ziajka, MD. In 2008, they dissolved the Florida Lipid Association and donated its funds to start the Foundation of the NLA. We closed the evening with announcing the winning bids on the Foundation’s silent auction. Items ranging from autographed sports jerseys, fine jewelry, wine, vacation packages, and much more were donated to benefit the Foundation. It was an unforgettable night!

The Foundation continues expanding its reach to patients and family members impacted by lipid disorders. The website, www.learnyourlipids.com and its upgrades, increase in traffic, and accessibility is at the forefront of our goals. Soon the Foundation will be launching the first dedicated statin intolerance patient resource, enhanced information on clinical trials, and continue working on improving patient navigation to lipid specialists around convenient to their location. The Foundation also looks to expand the board to include members from outside the clinical sphere, to include perspectives that allow further growth and reach to patients and families impacted by lipid disorders.

The Foundation has made incredible achievements since its inception, and I cannot wait to see what the rest of 2022 has in store for us.