Celebrities Add Glitz to the American Fertility Association's 2005 Kokopelli Ball

Celebrities Add Glitz to the American Fertility Association's 2005 Kokopelli Ball

NEW YORK, Nov. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Brenda Strong (Desperate Housewives' Mary-Alice Young) and Jason Alexander (Seinfeld's George Costanza) will help The American Fertility Association (AFA) honor the exceptional achievements of fertility doctors, scientists, and advocates at the annual Kokopelli Ball on Monday, November 7, 2005 at the Chelsea Piers in New York City. "Kokopelli" is the Native American spirit of fertility.

"It's primetime for fertility when celebrity advocates like Brenda, Jason and Joan lend their voices and embrace the possibilities for building families," said Pamela Madsen, Founder and Executive Director of The American Fertility Association.

Brenda Strong plays the dual role of Kokopelli Ball Mistress of Ceremonies and national spokesperson. She is graciously donating her time over the next year to help raise awareness around reproductive difficulties for the fertility patient advocacy organization. In addition, she will share her personal infertility story and her success with complementary medicine and exercise.

World-renowned leaders in fertility - physicians, researchers, scientists, lawyers, and mental health professionals - will come together at The AFA's annual gala to honor outstanding members of their professional community who have devoted their time and expertise to building families for those with reproductive difficulties.

Jason Alexander will present Dr. Richard Paulson, Director of USC Fertility, with the Dr. Howard and Georgeanna Jones Lifetime Achievement Award. The award's namesakes founded the Jones Institute for Reproductive Medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School and created the first IVF program in the United States. In 1981, they achieved the first successful IVF-assisted birth in the country. Their leadership and scientific achievements have touched millions of lives. The AFA acknowledges with much sadness the passing of Georgeanna Jones earlier this year.

David K. Gardner, Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine's Scientific Director, will receive the Robert Edwards Scientific Award, named for the British scientist who first achieved fertilization of the human egg in the laboratory.

Joan Lunden will receive the 2005 Media Award for being an outspoken advocate for surrogacy.

The eight Family Building Award honorees are recognized for their commitment and determination to help the millions in the United States with reproductive difficulties:

Serena H. Chen, MD
Mark I. Evans, MD
Ronald F. Feinberg, MD, PhD
IntegraMed
Isaac Kligman, MD
Kathleen Miller, BSTS
Gabriel San Roman, MD
Kaylen M. Silverberg, MD

The American Fertility Association's Silent Auction, held at the Kokopelli Ball, is also online this year at http://www.theafa.org/. The proceeds from the Auction will support important advocacy and education programs. In addition, funds raised will ensure that membership and access to resources and information through The AFA's "No Barriers" membership program remain free to all who need it.

The 2005 Kokopelli Ball is made possible through the generous support of AFA sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors
Cornell Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility
Ferring Pharmaceuticals
Organon USA, Inc.
Reproductive Medicine Associates
Serono, Inc.

Gold Sponsors
Apthorp Pharmacy
IntegraMed America
Kraupner Pharmacy
Metro Drug Stores
Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York
Reproductive Specialists of New York, LLP
Schraft's, a specialty pharmacy

Silver Sponsors
The Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery,
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
The Chen Family
Comprehensive Genetics/Mark I. Evans, MD
Freedom Drug
The Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Science at Saint Barnabas
Kings Pharmacy
Maternal Fetal Medicine Associates
Montefiore's Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Health
Old Post Road Group LLC
Reprogenetics
Reproductive Associates of Delaware
Reproductive Medicine Associates of Connecticut
Sher Institutes for Reproductive Medicine
The Silverberg Family
USC Fertility

THE AMERICAN FERTILITY ASSOCIATION (AFA) is a national organization dedicated to educating, supporting and advocating for all men and women concerned with reproductive health, fertility preservation, infertility and all forms of family building. Visit http://www.theafa.org/ or call 888-917-3777 for more information and support.

Contact:

Frank Fusco
David Eng Communications
(212) 714-3537
frank@decpr.com

Source: American Fertility Association

CONTACT: Frank Fusco of David Eng Communications for American Fertility
Association, +1-212-714-3537, or frank@decpr.com

Web site: http://www.theafa.org/

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