On Friday, May 18, more than 240 people packed the 33rd floor of the Loews Philadelphia Hotel for Mazzoni Center’s annual celebration and fundraiser, Elixir: the Cure for the Common Gala. 

Guests enjoyed three hours of food, drinks, silent auction, and entertainment, headlined by master of ceremonies Jim Donovan, CBS 3 Consumer Reporter, and including DJ Carl Michaels and jazz musicians Behn Gillece and Justin Sekelewski.  The event raised more than $72,000, an increase of 25% over last year’s event.  Funds raised through Elixir will support the agency’s continuum of health care and wellness programs for the LGBT and HIV/AIDS communities in the Philadelphia region.

The theme of this year’s event was ‘Celebrating our Allies,’ and on that note we were proud to present Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius with the 2012 Peter Mazzoni Award, in recognition of her leadership and commitment in addressing specific health issues that impact LGBT Americans, and improving their access to quality care.  Secretary Sebelius accepted the award via video from Washington, while HHS Regional Director Joanne Grossi represented the agency on her behalf.  (See the video of Secretary Sebelius’ acceptance speech below).

Our 2012 Mazzoni Center Ally Award honorees included former Former Cincinnati Reds pitcher Joe Valentine, who made headlines in 2005 when he revealed to members of the press that he had been raised by two lesbian mothers, and inspired many others who had been raised in LGBT families. 

Also recognized with ‘Ally’ awards were Katie Dickerson, a 9^th grade English teacher at Nueva Esperanza Academy Charter School, along with faculty members Michael Canfield and Tina Pakis of the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.  All three serve as faculty advisors for their schools’ Gay Straight Alliance, or GSA, programs, and have worked with Mazzoni Center’s Ally Safe Schools program to help createsafer, more welcoming, and more inclusive climates for LGBTQ youth.

Special thanks to our sponsors for Elixir 2012: Walgreens (gold sponsor); Loews Philadelphia Hotel and Woody’s Bar (silver sponsors); Philadelphia Gay News (media sponsor); Alston & Bird, LLC, Brian Moss Design, Media Copy, and Tavern on Camac (bronze sponsors); Cancer Treatment Centers of America, the Field House, and Hartbody Fitness & Coaching (event sponsors). 

We’re also very grateful to the event hosts and honorary committee members, along with all the volunteers who helped to make this year’s event a success!  

To view photos from Elixir 2012 click here.