34th annual Empire Ball raises $1.115 million for Diabetes Research Institute

Manhattan, NY In honor of the 34th annual Empire Ball on Dec. 13, the NYC skyline sparkled in blue when four buildings, the Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, One Bryant Park and 4 Times Sq., illuminated to #LightTheSkyForDRI and to recognize over 800 attendees from the real estate and construction industries whose dedicated efforts have raised millions for the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) and its mission to find a biological cure for diabetes. This event raised $1.115 million.

“I think it’s extremely special for us working in the real estate industry to see those incredible buildings lit up in blue and knowing anyone looking at NYC that night throughout the world saw the diabetes blue,” said Stephen Rizzo of the Rizzo Group and co-chair of the Empire Ball.  “I don’t see another industry that does that and it really touches everyone both professionally and personally. We won’t quit until it’s cured. We will be here, that’s the ethos of our industry.”

The night also shined the spotlight on three industry leaders when the Real Estate Division of the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (DRIF) honored Paul Teti, partner of Normandy Real Estate Partners, with the Leadership Award; Robert Mullen, CEO of Structure Tone, with the Camillo Ricordi Humanitarian Award; and Jeffrey Duarte, senior vice president of Alliance Building Services, with the Peter DiCapua Distinguished Service Award.

NYC’s blue skyline made the night extra magical, and the industry’s commitment and efforts for the Empire Ball also shined – raising $1.15 million for the DRI.

Blue, the international color of diabetes, could be seen outside as well as inside the Empire State Ballroom at the Grand Hyatt New York, where many guests wore dazzling blue dresses, added a hint of blue accent to their ensemble and one guest lit up the room with her blue-colored hair.

This year’s Empire Ball started off with a power-house networking cocktail hour for industry leaders, then well-known voice and personality, Michael Kay, New York Yankees play-by-play announcer, emceed the awards program paying tribute to the three esteemed recipients, followed by a savory dinner, delicious dessert and non-stop dancing.

“What an incredible night it was all around. I’m floored, yet again, by the amazing efforts of the Empire Ball’s Board of Governors and Committee, our DRI supporters, this year’s honorees, and past honorees. And, to see four prominent NYC buildings shine blue is a testament to what the real estate and construction industries have achieved with the Empire Ball,” said DRI president and CEO Joshua Rednik. “Their combined support for the DRI raises millions of dollars, year after year, for our important mission to find a biological cure for diabetes.”

As the largest and most comprehensive research center dedicated to curing diabetes, the DRI is aggressively working to develop a biological cure by restoring natural insulin production and normalizing blood sugar levels without imposing other risks. It is an exciting time at the DRI, where scientists are advancing a number of promising initiatives to the clinical phase of testing and gearing up for new patient studies that will address the challenges of the immune system.