PHOTOS: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for The Lupus Foundation Of America
On Wednesday (Oct 3), leaders in the media, fashion, and entertainment industries gathered for the second annual Lupus Foundation of America’s (LFA) Butterfly Gala in New York City!
Among the nearly 700 guests who attended were some notable folks like Stephen I. Sadove, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saks Fifth Avenue; Natalie Morales, NBC News anchor, Deborah Roberts, ABC News correspondent; Gayle King, Al Roker, Phylicia Rashad, and Whoopi Goldberg.
Also in attendance was GRAMMY-nominated recording artist Oleta Adams, who opened the program and brought the crowd to their feet with her powerful rendition of “New York State of Mind.”
MJ‘s favorite song!
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After her moving performance, Oleta shared with the audience that she has been living with Lupus for ten years. (Powerful stuff!)
The LFA New York City Butterfly Gala is the sister event to the LFA’s National Butterfly Gala held each year in Washington, DC. The goal of the events is to raise awareness of of lupus, generate critically important LFA program funding, and encourage greater public and private investments in life-saving research, education, advocacy, and support services.
Whoopi Goldberg made sure to speak about the event on “The View,” hoping to shed some light on a disease that affects many Americans and is easily misdiagnosed.
Great event in support of an even greater cause!