Purchase Couple to be Honored by National Kidney Foundation

Coco and Bruce Lefkowitz, of Purchase, will be honored by the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) at its seventh-annual Springtime in New York gala. The event will be held Tuesday, April 14, 2015, at 6:00 pm, in the Appel Room at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City.

Coco and Bruce Lefkowitz will receive the Chuck Fruit Award of Excellence. This award honors those whose professional achievements and personal qualities match the iconic example set by Chuck Fruit, a transplant recipient who tragically passed away in 2008 from kidney disease and its complications.

Bruce is Executive Vice President of Fox Networks Group and last April, his wife Coco donated a kidney to their son, Coby. Coby is now a thriving freshman at NYU where he is a member of their basketball team. The Lefkowitzes are tireless advocates in the fight against kidney disease and are committed to raising awareness and funds for NKF’s lifesaving programs and services.

“Coco and Bruce give so passionately and generously of themselves in both business and their personal lives, they set a powerful example for us all,” said Melissa Saul, Executive Director, NKF Serving Greater New York. “We are honored to be recognizing both Coco and Bruce for their ongoing support of the National Kidney Foundation, their accomplishments in their professional careers and their commitment to those with kidney disease.”

Monica Karo, CEO of OMD USA, will also be honored at the gala with the Visionary Leader Award for her work making OMD one of the most awarded media communications agencies in the world.

“Monica understands the power of messaging and building awareness, it’s what OMD has mastered under her leadership,” said Fitzgerald. “We’re privileged to have Monica’s support, and to honor her among colleagues this spring.”

Hundreds of dignitaries from the media, business, and entertainment industries will pay tribute to Coco and Bruce for their extraordinary achievements at the Springtime in New York gala.

The Springtime in New York committee is co-chaired by William G. Dessoffy, Regional Managing Director, First Republic Bank and Board Chairman of the National Kidney Foundation serving Greater New York; Joseph Abruzzese, President, Advertising Sales at Discovery Communications; and Bill Cella, Senior Partner, The Cheyenne Group.

For more information about attending the Springtime in New York gala, please contact Nicole Carrea, National Kidney Foundation, at nicole.carrea@kidney.org, 212-889-2210 ext. 232

The National Kidney Foundation is the leading organization in the U.S. dedicated to the awareness, prevention and treatment of kidney disease for hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals, millions of patients and their families, and tens of millions of Americans at risk. Learn more about kidney disease and the Kidney Walk at www.kidneywalk.org