FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Mar. 29, 2010

Contact:
Marsha Ross-Jackson, Interim Exec. Dir.
(312) 372-7070   
info@asianhealth.org
 

FUNDRAISER FOR THE ASIAN HEALTH COALITION OF ILLINOIS

Chicago, IL – On Thursday, Apr. 15, 2010, the Asian Health Coalition of Illinois (AHCI) presents its Ninth Annual Benefit Reception, “AHCI: Catalyst For Change” at Petterino’s Restaurant (150 N. Dearborn, Chicago) from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. This year’s honorees, recognized for their leadership in community health advocacy, are Dr. Ho Tran, Executive Director and CEO of the National Council of Asian and Pacific Islander Physicians, who will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award, and Mrs. Santosh Kumar, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Asian Family Services. In addition, awards for Outstanding Corporate Leadership will be accepted by Mr. Eric Brown, National Sales Director of Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Mr. Dan McGowan, President of Big Bowl Asian Division of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. Mr. Ravi Baichwal, weekend anchor for ABC 7 News Chicago, will serve as the event’s host.

Founded in 1996, the Asian Health Coalition of Illinois (AHCI) is a grassroots non-profit 501(c) (3) organization that confronts the social, cultural, linguistic, and political barriers that impede Asian American and Pacific Islanders’ (AAPIs) access to health care. AHCI is the only pan-Asian agency in the Chicago area that focuses specifically on the health and wellness of AAPIs.

AHCI has received national recognition for its innovative community partnership approach of establishing a network of community-based organizations from a variety of Asian populations in order to combat health inequities.  Current partners include associations from the Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Filipino, Cambodian, Lao, and South Asian communities. AHCI has also launched groundbreaking research by spearheading the most comprehensive door-to-door surveys of health needs/status to be performed in any Asian communities in the country. Data regarding health care utilization, risk factors, and outcomes will better inform Chinese, Vietnamese, and Cambodian communities about health status and assist with designing appropriate programs and interventions.

Attendees are expected to include representatives from the government, media, non-profit/community-based organizations, academia, and the private sector. Food is being donated from Ben Pao, Big Bowl, Petterino’s, and Wow Bao. Mr. Bruce Cost, an expert on Asian food, former writer for the San Francisco Chronicle and Washington Post, author of 3 cookbooks, and co-founder of Big Bowl and Wow Bao restaurants, will headline a VIP reception highlighted by a presentation and tasting of Asian medicinal foods. Mr. Adam Seger, Mixologist and General Manager at Nacional 27, will create cocktails using HUM, a rum infused with hibiscus, ginger, and cardamom.

The event will raise funds in support of its mission: to improve the health and well being of AAPIs in Illinois through advocacy, technical assistance, public education and community-based research. Please register online for tickets at www.asianhealth.org, or contact the Asian Health Coalition of Illinois at info@asianhealth.org or (312) 372-7070 with any questions or to place a reservation for tickets. A limited number of tickets for the VIP reception from 5 to 6 PM are still available.