Broadcast Icon Larry King to Be Honored With the ‘True Grit Award’ at the 22nd Annual Odyssey Ball on Saturday, April 14 Benefiting the John Wayne Cancer Institute
SANTA MONICA, Calif., March 1 /PRNewswire/ — Emmy Award-winning journalist, media icon and philanthropist Larry King will receive the “True Grit Award” at the 22nd annual Odyssey Ball, the yearly fundraising event that benefits the John Wayne Cancer Institute at Saint John’s Health Center. Themed “The Cure is in the Cards,” the casino-style Odyssey Ball will take place Saturday evening, April 14th at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, and will be hosted by acclaimed actress, author and activist Jamie Lee Curtis. Since its inception, the event has helped raise over $14 million to support the John Wayne Cancer Institute’s life-saving cancer research and treatment programs.
“Larry King epitomizes the strengths and qualities that characterized my father, and for which the ‘True Grit Award’ was created — uncompromising integrity and commitment to the values of our great country,” said Patrick Wayne, Chairman of the Board of the John Wayne Cancer Institute.
“Larry is a committed family man, a tireless advocate for quality health care and education, and a legendary media personality whose 50-year career will have a lasting impact for generations to come. How fitting that in 2007, as we commemorate the centennial of my dad’s birth, we also pay tribute to another great American, Larry King, with this award.” The recipient of last year’s “True Grit Award” was former First Lady, Nancy Reagan.
The John Wayne Cancer Institute was founded by the Wayne family in 1981 to honor the wishes of the beloved actor, who succumbed to stomach cancer in 1979, and to create a lasting legacy that would benefit people the world over. Since then, the Institute has been committed to groundbreaking research, education and treatment, and has received global acclaim for significant advances in melanoma, breast and colon cancer, and immune therapy.
This year’s Odyssey Ball also will recognize Joyce Green, Senior Vice President of Business Development for the Institute, with a “Special Service Award,” affectionately called “The Duke.”
Those interested in attending the event or supporting the Institute’s efforts may visit: http://www.jwci.org/ or phone the Auxiliary Information Line at: 310.829.8324.
jane@janeayerpr.com; 310-581-1330
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John Wayne Cancer Institute
CONTACT: jane@janeayerpr.com, +1-310-581-1330, or nstern@nsternpr.com,+1-818-990-9242
Web site: http://www.jwci.org/