The Virginia Mason Foundation raised more than $1 million at the 19th Annual Dreambuilders’ Ball to benefit autoimmune disease research at Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason (BRI). The Dusty 45s entertained the crowd of more than 900 corporate and philanthropic community leaders at the black-tie event, themed "Exploring the Mystery."
This year’s patient speaker was Sarah Penner, who shared her story of living with Type 1 diabetes and her participation in the clinical trial program at BRI. The event was co-chaired by Laura and Ian MacNeil and Kathleen Kobashi, MD, and Christopher Porter, MD. Presenting sponsors KING-5 Television and The Benaroya Companies contributed significantly to the event’s success.
The 2010 Dreambuilders’ Ball honorees were Pamela and Joshua "Jay" Green, III, who have supported Virginia Mason Medical Center and BRI since the 1980s. Collectively, the two have given almost 25 years of leadership and service to the organization.
"I felt that our community needed this help and research and education for their families," said Pamela Green, who joined the BRI board of directors in 1986. During her eight-year tenure, research funding increased from $1 million to $6 million dollars per year.
Jay Green spent the next 13 years serving on Virginia Mason boards and committees. During that time he reviewed hundreds of pages of financial documents and traveled with hospital leadership to Japan, looking for ways to improve the Virginia Mason health care system.
About Virginia Mason Medical Center
Virginia Mason Medical Center, founded in 1920, is a non-profit comprehensive regional health care system in Seattle that combines a primary and specialty care group practice of more than 440 physicians with a 336-bed acute-care hospital. Virginia Mason operates a network of clinics throughout the Puget Sound area; manages Bailey-Boushay House, a nursing residence and Chronic Care Management program for people living with HIV and AIDS; and operates Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason, internationally recognized in autoimmune disease research. Virginia Mason is known for applying manufacturing principles to health care to improve quality and patient safety. For more information, visit VirginiaMason.org or Facebook/VMcares or follow @VirginiaMason on Twitter.
