SEATTLE – June 6,2011 – As a nexus for global health,Seattle houses some of the most renowned global health organizations in the world:the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation,PATH,the University of Washington and many others. On June 17th,15 passionate young people will spread awareness and raise money for these global health efforts the best way they know how:through a party. Breaking down the barriers between science jargon,advanced degrees and age,the party aims to ignite a new generation of global health advocates who can have fun,benefit an important cause and join a young movement in Seattle.
“I think this generation just wants the opportunity to engage in meaningful change and the Party is a wonderful way to accomplish that,” said Lisa Cohen,Executive Director of the Washington Global Health Alliance. “This party is about connection and about being part of something greater than one person. With the remarkable expertise of the Seattle community combined with the passion of this generation,we can only imagine what could emerge.”
**Inspired by the growing number of young people wanting to get involved in global health and the book, 10 Ways to Change the World in Your 20s,a group of newly-minted careerists came together in late 2009 to create an event that would catalyze a movement around global health. The Party with a Purpose was born. The party is an initiative of the Washington Global Health Alliance,planned by a volunteer ad hoc board of young professionals from organizations including the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation, Amazon,Microsoft, The Boeing Company,the University of Washington,Vulcan, United Way and local global health organizations. It is founded on the belief that focusing the power of young adults on the betterment of a single cause,even just for one night,can lead to world-changing progress.
Kristen Eddings,co-founder of the event says,“20-30 years from now,we want people to look back and give a nod to how this movement in Seattle inspired some of the strongest leaders for the future of global health.”
Ticket proceeds from this year’s 1000-person event will raise more than $30,000 for the Infectious Disease Research Institute’s tuberculosis vaccine research and testing in Haiti. IDRI is a local,non-profit biotech organization that is committed to applying innovative science to the research and development of products to prevent,detect and treatinfectious diseases of poverty. Sponsors including Vulcan,the Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation,Swedish Hospital andMedical Center,Conservation International and SightLife are underwriting the event.
Stewart Parker,CEO of IDRI said,“The Party with a Purpose is an innovative way for young people to get involved in a big cause. IDRI is thrilled that attention is being drawn to our work,especially in TB,through the efforts of a few young people who united to make a difference in this community. When 1,000 young people leave the party,they’ll leave knowing why a TB vaccine is needed and what our TB diagnostics are doing to simplify diagnosis—we think that’s incredibly powerful.”
Party with a Purpose is capitalizing on a national trend among young people to get involved with global health and international issues. According to a 2009 Giving USA report,international issues represent the top giving trends among young people.
Recognized for the momentum the party is building within the young professional community,it has also been selected as one of the kick-off events for The Next 50—a six month celebration to commemorate the fifty-year anniversary of the Seattle’s World’s Fair. With an entire month of the celebration devoted to global health,this recognizes the passion and commitment of the community for making Seattle an important worldwide hub for global health.
Details:
· When:June 17th,8pm-12am
· Where:McCaw Hall, 321 Mercer St.,Seattle,WA
· Tickets: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/170174
More Information:
· Party With a Purpose:http://apartywithapurpose.org/
· Washington Global Health Alliance:http://www.wghalliance.org/
· Infectious Disease Research Institute: http://www.idri.org/
