Rock the Red Carpet Awards Presentation

We invite you to join us at CFF’s Rock the Red Carpet as we recognize this year’s inspirational honorees with the Commitment to a Cure Award, the Katie’s Courage Award and the Excellence in Care Award. Read below to learn more about each award.

Katie’s Courage Award: Given to an individual who has CF • Active in the CF community • Achievements have inspired others • Optimistic outlook evokes action

The story of Katie’s Courage: “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same.” – Author Unknown

Katie’s life was one of passion and inspiration. She grew up in East Amherst, graduating from Williamsville North High School. She had wanted to earn a teaching degree, but her deteriorating lungs kept her from this dream and many other activities she once enjoyed. A double lung transplant in September 2000 changed that, and Katie began working at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation of Western New York to help others with cystic fibrosis. During her tenure, Katie worked tirelessly, raising money for vital CF research and educating people about CF. She was instrumental in helping coordinate such events as: the first-ever “Step Up for a Cure,” a race up the 560 steps of the Buffalo City Hall; the Williamsville Great Strides walk site where “Katie’s Krusaders” gathered together to raise tens of thousands of dollars; and the inaugural Greater Niagara BassEye Celebrity Challenge.

Katie was a member of the Team Western New York Transplant Athletes and quickly became a leader among the group of organ recipients who competed in the 2002 Transplant Games in Orlando, Florida. It was there that Katie realized her dream of running the 100-meter race. Just days before her death, Katie attended a team meeting intent on participating in the 2004 games.

Everyone she touched in her all-too-short life misses Katie. She was, and is, an inspiration to everyone who lives with CF and all those who work to help raise money for CF research. In honor of her legacy, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation awards a deserving recipient with the Katie’s Courage Award each year. They choose someone who models Katie’s incredible fighting spirit and who also shares her zest for life. Katie’s spirit continues to inspire all those who work and support the mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation

Past Award Recipients

Ms. Alexandra Argentieri
Ms. Nicole Ellis
Ms. Ashley Fabio
Ms. Meghan George
Mr. Bobby Grande
Mr. Mickey Hart
Mr. Justin Juliano
Mr. Christopher Kvam
Ms. Nicole Matthews
Ms. Julia Mordaunt
Ms. Christine Padasak*
Ms. Louann Perelli
Mr. Bradley Poole
Ms. Lauren Reilly
Ms. Katherine Russell
Ms. Rachael Russell
Ms. Lauren Smith
Mr. Hunter Vigneron
Mrs. KC Bryan White

Commitment to a Cure Award: Given to a person or organization that exhibits exceptional dedication to the fight against CF • Contributes their time and talents to further research • Inspires community involvement • Spreads awareness about CF

Past Award Recipients:

Dr. Drucy Borowitz
Mr. Michael Christiano
Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Buffalo:
Mr. Pat Greco
Mr. Matthew Colpoys
Mr. Jonathon Dandes
Mr. Lou Ebert
GEICO
Mr. Gary P. Hall
Mr. Jim Hanley
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hollinsworth
Mrs. Mary Kontos*
Macy’s
Mader Construction: Biddle Family
Mr. & Mrs. Greg Matthews
Mr. Gerard Mazurkiewicz
Nichols School
The Phipps Family
Mr. & Mrs. Paul & Kathryn Reid
Robert-James Sales: Mr. James Bokor Jr.
Mr. Russell Salvatore
Mr. & Mrs. John & Jessica Schimert
Dr. Jack Sharp
Mr. & Mrs. Robert & Jeanne Smith*
United Refining
Mr. & Mrs. Jason & Bobbie Wabick
Waste Technology Services (WTS)
West Herr: Mr. Scott Bieler
Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo
Women Interested in Cystic Health
Greg Zaepfel

Excellence in Care Award: Works to improve the lives of those living with CF through research and new treatments • Active in the CF community

Past Award Recipients:

Mrs. Cindy L. Brown, RN, BSN
Ms. Nadine Caci, RNC, CCRC
Dr. Carla Frederick
Ms. Lynne Fries, PA-C, MPAS, DPT
Ms. Donna Germuga BS, RRT
Dr. Danielle Goetz, M.D.
Mr. James Gulczewski, RN, BSN
Mrs. Lori Pace, RN
Mrs. Peggy Reddien, RN, BSN
Respiratory Team at the Cystic Fibrosis Center of WNY:
M. Barbara Howard, Lisa FlatteryWalsh, Sandra Prentice, Joe Nesarajah, Michelle Westley
Ms. Christine Roach, RN, BSN, CCRC
Dr. Daniel Sheehan
Dr. Beth Smith

Rock the Red Carpet Committee

Mikhail Atkins
Katie Boyd
Devan Brady
Matthew Colpoys
Brittany Calhoun
Nicole Ellis
Anne Emlidge
Mary Ann Gambino
Atiana German
Kelly Glosser
Liza Keenan
Holly Kemp
Devonie Lorigo
Robert Mayer
Kim McCullough
Eric Monahan
Jill Monahan
Thomas Naples
Jason Opferbeck
Mike Palazza
Lorraine Redlinski
Jessica Schimert
Petrina Sciandra
Kim Slowinski
Matthew Stives
Bobbie Wabick
Laura Zulla

*Represents individuals that have since passed

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation - Western New York Chapter
100 College Parkway, Suite 280
Williamsville, NY 14221
716.204.2535   |   western-newyork@cff.org