NEW YORK, February 9, 2024 – Today, the Endometriosis Foundation of America (EndoFound) announced that the 12th Annual Blossom Ball will honor Bindi Irwin with the Blossom Award on Friday, May 3, 2024 at Gotham Hall in New York City. Additionally, the Foundation is excited to announce Madeleine K. Rudin and Ayesha Shand as co-chairs.
Commenting to People.com today, Bindi Irwin said:
“Accepting the Blossom Award from the Endometriosis Foundation of America is a profound honor. Grateful for the chance to use my platform in raising awareness about this disease. It means so much to me and my family to be part of this year's Blossom Ball alongside so many extraordinary attendees. The Blossom Award signifies more than a recognition of my journey; it is a powerful celebration of the strength within every individual facing this often-overlooked public health issue and the unwavering resilience of the 200 million-plus Endo Warriors worldwide.
Moreover, it is crucial to recognize that the Blossom Ball fundraiser serves as the key to educating the public, our elected officials, and medical professionals worldwide about this widespread issue. The funds generated play a pivotal role in supporting much-needed research to advance the treatment of the disease and, ultimately, work towards finding a cure. I am hopeful that together, through our collective efforts, we can pave the way to helping people find the support they deserve and one day discovering that cure.”
Tamer Seckin, MD, founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America:
“Welcoming Bindi as the first global Blossom Award honoree for EndoFound is poised to result in the early diagnosis of hundreds of thousands more women and adolescents. Bindi and her family's profound appreciation for life and nature, coupled with their unwavering commitment to its universal importance, are igniting a global endometriosis revolution. This movement underscores the vital role of early diagnosis in beating this disease,” said Tamer Seckin, MD, founder of the Endometriosis Foundation of America.
The Blossom Ball is the signature fundraiser for EndoFound, co-founded by Padma Lakshmi, an Emmy-nominated food expert, television host, producer, and best-selling New York Times author, and her doctor, Tamer Seckin, MD, one of a limited number of accredited gynecologic surgeons in the United States who has advanced training for the deep excision of endometriosis, who has authored several books and speaks internationally on the treatment of the disease.
The annual Blossom Ball spotlights endometriosis, affecting 200 million women globally and one in 10 in the U.S. The event honors patient resilience, community support, and the dedication of the medical and research communities. Proceeds support ongoing initiatives to educate women, aiming to reduce the 7- to 10-year diagnosis delay and move us closer to discovering a cure.
This year’s red carpet fundraising event is a black-tie evening and will include a cocktail reception followed by a seated dinner, musical performance, live auction with professional auctioneer Harry Santa-Olalla, and after-party with dancing.
Tickets for dinner start at $750 and tables begin at $15,000. To reserve tables, make a tax-deductible donation to the EndoFound, or to get more information on the event please visitwww.endofound.org/blossomball.
For more information on the Foundation or sponsorship opportunities please visitwww.endofound.org, follow EndoFound on social media @endofound.
Bindi Irwin
Bindi Irwin is a dedicated wildlife conservationist, who has inherited her parents' passion for protecting wildlife and wild places. She educates millions of people on the importance of protecting our natural world. Born to Wildlife Warriors Steve and Terri Irwin, Bindi is determined to carry on her father’s legacy, and make a positive difference on the planet.
Bindi is the CEO of Australia Zoo, and is proud to be supporting endangered species breeding programs, research, and education through her important work at this world renowned zoological facility.
Bindi has been filming wildlife documentaries most of her life, appearing in The Crocodile Hunter and hosting Bindi: The Jungle Girl. Bindi was awarded a Logie in Australia, and at the age of nine became the youngest performer ever to win a Daytime Emmy Award when she won the award for “Outstanding Performer in a Children’s Series”. More recently, Bindi has filmed four seasons of Crikey! It’s the Irwins, on Animal Planet.
Bindi works and travels extensively with the charity her parents established in 2002, Wildlife Warriors. With 12 global conservation projects, three conservation properties protecting almost half a million acres, and a wildlife hospital that has treated over 130,000 patients, Wildlife Warriors is integral to species and habitat preservation.
One of Bindi’s most important projects would have to be the ongoing research to study saltwater crocodiles. Along with the University of Queensland, each year Bindi conducts the science involved with what has become the longest running telemetry study on individual animals anywhere in the world.
Bindi is now happily married to Chandler Powell and they have a beautiful daughter, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell. Together, they are a family of Wildlife Warriors dedicated to speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Endometriosis Foundation of America
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, EndoFound is the leading U.S. non-profit (501(c)(3)) dedicated to increasing endometriosis recognition, advocacy, expert surgical training, and landmark research funding. Co-founded in 2009 by Padma Lakshmi and Tamer Seckin, MD, EndoFound actively informs both the medical community and the public, emphasizing the crucial need for early diagnosis and effective intervention. Join our campaign for awareness and support at www.endofound.org.
Blossom Ball Media Contact:
Lauren Peteroy, Scenario PR
Lauren.peteroy@scenariopr.com
