The event was chaired by Three Men on a Mission, Grant Boyd, Steve Riddell and Jack Womack. As Gala Chairs and business men representing different industries in Atlanta (wealth management, law firm and news/media), they were able to bring recognition to the annual Gala through sponsorship and contribution requests, Marketing/PR opportunities and their joint passion to find a cure for diabetes. Throughout the evening, each had a personal video which told their diabetes story and why they were serving as a man on a mission.

Guests enjoyed cocktails and a silent auction followed by a seated dinner, live auction and interludes of entertainment, courtesy of Elliott Yamin, another man on a mission. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 16, Elliott brought attention to JDRF during his run on the fifth season of American Idol. He was a terrific addition to the Gala this year – it was hard to tell who enjoyed his presence more, the guests or the junior ambassadors! He took time to sign autographs for each of the Junior Ambassadors and then came out on the stage to help the auctioneer sell VIP tickets to the next Elliott Yamin concert in Los Angeles. Other live auction highlights included a trip to New York for Spring Fashion Week and a SmartCar.

JDRF was pleased to recognize Delta Air Lines, Inc. as the 2008 Corporate Honoree for their generous and longstanding contributions to JDRF, both on a local and national level. A special tribute was organized for Jim Robbins, a longtime volunteer and advocate for JDRF who served on the Georgia Chapter Board as well as Chairman of the International Board. Jim passed away this Fall and left a legacy of service and generosity, one in which his family has continued through a major gift to the chapter and a lead Fund A Cure gift. Thanks to the generosity of corporate and personal contributions in Jim’s memory, Fund A Cure was more successful than ever, raising nearly $900,000.

This very special evening would not have been possible without the incredible support of our Presenting Sponsors: Delta Air Lines, Inc., InterContinental Hotels Group and Melvin S. Roos & Co., Inc.With the continued support and dedication of our extraordinary Gala Committee, led this year by the Three Men on a Mission, we were able to SURPASS our goal by $200,000. We could not have asked for more and on behalf of the Georgia Chapter staff, volunteers and Board of Directors - we thank everyone who contributed to the 2008 Hope for a Cure Gala, allowing us to advance that much closer to a cure.

Check out photos from the event!