Thursday, February 2, 2012
Contact: Ashley Herriman
aherriman@nyrainc.com
NYRA’S JOANNE ADAMS TO BE HONORED BY KIDNEY AND UROLOGY FOUNDATION OF AMERICA
OZONE PARK, N.Y. – Joanne Adams, Director of Community Relations for The New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA), will be honored by the Kidney and Urology Foundation of America (KUFA) at its inaugural “Top 25 Champions for a Cure” Reception Benefit on Tuesday, February 7, 2012, 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
The awards reception, hosted by The Woodlands Country Club, Woodbury, N.Y, will honor 25 individuals who have advocated in search of a cure for prostate cancer and/or kidney disease. Adams has served for several years on the committee for KUFA’s Hat & Author Luncheon to which NYRA has provided promotional support and donated “Day at the Races” experience packages for auction, as well as other memorabilia.
In her role with NYRA, Adams serves as a liaison between NYRA and the local communities surrounding Aqueduct Racetrack, Belmont Park, and Saratoga Race Course. She coordinates NYRA’s charitable giving, serves as NYRA’s representative to the local business communities, and oversees NYRA’s participation in community activities on and off track.
A graduate of Wheaton College, Adams currently serves as president of The Stewart Fund in Memory of St. Mary’s and St. Paul’s. She is a sustaining member of The Junior League of the City of New York, past president of the Garden City Chamber of Commerce Foundation and past president and board member of the Garden City Historical Society. She currently serves on the board of the Backstretch Employee Service Team (B.E.S.T.).
Adams is the recipient of the 2010 Citizen of the Year Award from the Garden City Chamber of Commerce and she was presented with the 2002 New York State Senate Liberty Award for her role as chairman of the Breeders’ Cup Benefit for the Garden City Family Relief Fund. In 2011, she was selected as one of Thoroughbred racing’s Unsung Heroes by the Thoroughbred Times and was also named 2011 Businessperson of the Year by the Floral Park Chamber of Commerce.
Kidney & Urology Foundation of America (KUFA) is a national, not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping people with kidney and urologic diseases and individuals waiting for organ and tissue transplants. Kidney disease in this country has reached epidemic proportions due to an increase in diabetes, hypertensive disease, and obesity. Nearly 500,000 Americans have irreversible kidney failure and require dialysis or a kidney transplant to stay alive. Urologic diseases include prostate cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in men in the United States. Painful kidney stones and urinary tract infections account for millions of physician and hospital visits each year. The Kidney & Urology Foundation focuses on care and support of the patient, the concerns of those at risk, education for the community and medical professionals, methods of prevention, and improved treatment options.
Founded in 1955, and franchised to run thoroughbred racing at New York’s three major tracks through 2033, NYRA boasts a lineage that actually stretches back almost 150 years. NYRA tracks are the cornerstone of the state’s thoroughbred business which contributes more than $2 billion annually to New York State’s urban, suburban and rural economy. In 2011, more than 1.8 million people attended the live races at NYRA tracks. Factoring in nationwide off-track wagering, the average daily betting handle on NYRA races totals more than $8.1 million. NYRA has a vast network of websites, including www.nyra.com, www.belmontstakes.com, and www.nyragroupsales.com. You can also follow NYRA on social media platforms Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, and YouTube.
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