Beaux Arts Rock ‘N’ Roll Ball Raises Over $2 Million to Benefit National Jewish Health

Annual Gala Presented by Morgridge Family Foundation Supports Research, Care and Education at the Nation’s Leading Respiratory Hospital

The 2016 Beaux Arts Ball presented by Morgridge Family Foundation raised over $2 million to support National Jewish Health on Saturday, March 19. More than 1,200 guests partied to rock’s greatest hits at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center.

"For 117 years, we have been the leading respiratory hospital in the nation, helping thousands every year. We continue to achieve this mission because of the support we receive from donors," said Michael Salem, MD, National Jewish Health president and CEO. "Our Grand Marshals, leadership and supporters ensure that we can provide an unsurpassed patient care experience and lead the next generation of discoveries for respiratory and related diseases."

Dr. Salem and National Jewish Health Board Chair Blair Richardson honored the 2016 Grand Marshals, Libby Anschutz, Janie and David Eves, and Rebecca and Lewis Kling, for their philanthropy and influence in the Denver community.

The night kicked off with guests dancing into the ballroom to the beat of Queen’s "We Will Rock You," and the party didn’t stop. Dance productions to chart-topping hits and a performance of "Satisfaction" by a Mick Jagger look-alike brought guests to the dancefloor. The night concluded with a high-intensity set from "Tracksuit Wedding," which is led by Libby Anschutz and Ali Pashel Frankfurt.

Event leadership included co-chairs Kelly Brough, Jackie and Jerome Davis, Lindsey and Stanton Dodge, Alissa and Will Frankfurt, and Penny and Jack TerHar. In addition to Presenting Sponsor the Morgridge Family Foundation, dozens of individuals, organizations and companies supported the Beaux Arts Ball, including Platinum Sponsors the Anschutz Foundation, Sage Hospitality and Dependable Cleaners. The event’s Gold Sponsors were the Acklie Charitable Foundation, Anne and Rich Baer, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Clear the Air Foundation, Rebecca and Lewis Kling, David and Laura Merage Foundation, MDC Foundation, Sturgeon Electric, Teva Pharmaceuticals and Xcel Energy. Also in attendance were members of the 5280 Air Society, a group of young leaders in Denver who are leading the next generation of philanthropy at National Jewish Health.

A Fund-a-Need direct appeal raised $650,000 to support the organization’s work to find a cure for severe asthma, the most deadly form of the condition that does not respond to standard treatments. David Beuther, MD, associate professor of medicine, chief medical information officer and National Jewish Health pulmonologist, introduced two National Jewish Health patients, professional skier Jake Cohn and 15-month-old Kailia Hill. They both suffer from severe asthma and are being helped by the expertise and cutting-edge research at National Jewish Health.

"The scary truth is that 12 million Americans do not have their asthma under control, and about two and a half million have a type of severe asthma that is chronic and affects their day-to-day lives in ways we cannot imagine," Dr. Beuther said. "National Jewish Health is the world’s expert in this area. We never say never, and we are committed to discovering a cure for severe asthma in the next five years."

A traditional live auction was also held during the event. The auction offered the highest bidder once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, including VIP experiences at the Tribeca Film Festival and New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, as well as a summer of concerts at Red Rocks, the Pepsi Center and the new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.