Celebrities, studio executives and supporters of the lupus cause came together for Lupus LA’s largest fundraising event of the year, The Orange Ball: A Night of Superheroes yesterday at the iconic New York Street at FOX Studios.
Hosted by Terrence Jenkins, celebrities on hand to help celebrate and raise money included Michael B. Jordan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Kristen Johnston, Fear The Walking Dead’s Lorenzo Henrie, David Henrie, Wayne Knight, O-Town’s Jacob Underwood and Trevor Penick, Dream’s Melissa Schuman, The Original’s Haley Ramm, Taylor Spreitler, Sophie Tweed-Simmons, Elisabeth Harnois, Grandfathered’s Kelly Jenrette, Ray Donovan’s Heather McComb, Lupus LA Ambassador Meredith Monroe, country singer Brian Hughes, Lupus LA Ambassador Ali Hillis and more! Ryan Cabrera and Howie Day gave special performances throughout the night. The event raised over $400,000 for lupus research and local patient programs.
Each year Lupus LA presents awards to individuals who strive to make the world better for those living with lupus, whether it is through research, charitable gifts, spreading awareness and more. This year’s recipient of the Loop Award was comedy actress Kristen Johnston, who is also a Lupus LA Ambassador and has helped increase awareness and raise important dollars for research.
Her Third Rock From The Sun co-star Joseph Gordon-Levitt presented the award. Additional award recipients included Meredith Davidow Pegula, who received the Daniel J. Wallace Founders Award along with Dr. Paul Hackmeyer who received the Medial Visionary Award for his exemplary dedication to those living with lupus. Event chairs included Jim Gianopulos, chairman and CEO of Fox Filmed Entertainment, Nancy Utley, President of Fox Searchlight Pictures and Lauren Shuler Donner, acclaimed film producer.
The Orange Ball is such an important event for all those living with lupus and their families. To be able to raise worldwide awareness through the power of Hollywood helps to empower those who care about this cause” said Lupus LA’s Chairman Adam Selkowitz.
The elegant outdoor street party also featured a LaCroix lounge, specialty drinks from Tito’s Handmade Vodka, California Fruit Wine, food from Urban Oven and Cousin’s Main Lobster, and raffle giveaways that included a trip to Miami, a painting from artist Marco Lorenzetto, and jewelry from Jason of Beverly Hills. To date, Lupus LA’s Orange Ball has raised over $4 million in total since the year 2000.
