Boston Police Superintendent to be Honored at Joslin Gala

Boston Police Superintendent Paul Fitzgerald, Chief, Bureau of Intelligence and Analysis, will be honored at this year’s Joslin Diabetes Center High Hopes Gala as a Community Events Champion. Fitzgerald and his wife Leigh Anne, of Westwood, founded the “Field of Dreams” Wiffle Ball Tournament and Fundraiser to support Joslin Diabetes Center. The Fitzgeralds organized “Field of Dreams” five years ago after their daughter, Caroline, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and became a patient at Joslin. Since it began, “Field of Dreams” has raised a total of $292,500 toward finding a cure for diabetes.

In honor of the ongoing support it receives through community fundraisers like “Field of Dreams,” Joslin Diabetes Center will recognize Fitzgerald, along with other community members who support Joslin’s life-saving care and research, at the upcoming High Hopes Gala on Saturday, November 22nd at The Westin Boston Waterfront.

The 2014 Tournament, held on May 10th at the Boston Athletic Club in South Boston, drew more than 500 people and raised $80,000 for Joslin Diabetes Center, the highest amount in the history of the event. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this volunteer-run event go to Joslin.

“We want to do what we can as a family to support the diabetes community,” said Paul Fitzgerald. “I am proud to accept this honor from Joslin on behalf of my family; we are happy to be doing our part to support the dream that is curing diabetes.”

The “Community Events Champions” include companies and individuals, like the Fitzgeralds, who have a passion and dedication for raising diabetes awareness and funding Joslin’s fight against the disease year after year. The funds raised by the local champions help Joslin improve the lives of more than 29 million Americans living with diabetes.

The High Hopes Gala is a distinctive black-tie event that benefits Joslin’s High Hopes Fund. The evening, which will be emceed by Dylan Dreyer, Weather Anchor, NBC’s Weekend TODAY, will include a lively cocktail reception, exciting silent and live auctions led by Antique Roadshow appraiser Robin Starr, live entertainment and a chance to win a trip to the 2015 Masters Golf Tournament!

For more information on the High Hopes Gala or to purchase tickets, please contact Meghan Mongeau at 617-309-2512 or at Meghan.mongeau@joslin.harvard.edu

About Joslin Diabetes Center

Joslin Diabetes Center, based in Boston, Massachusetts, is committed to advancing diabetes research, clinical care, education and health and wellness programs on a global scale. Joslin is dedicated to ensuring that people with diabetes live long, healthy lives and offers real progress in preventing and curing diabetes. Joslin is an independent, nonprofit institution affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and is recognized worldwide for driving innovative solutions in diabetes prevention, research, education, and care. Its mission is to prevent, treat and cure diabetes and the organization’s vision is a world free of diabetes and its complications. For more information, visit www.joslin.org.