Community Hope’s 23rd Annual Sparkle of Hope Dinner was held at the Legacy Castle in Pompton Plains, NJ on Monday, November 11, 2019 to honor Dr. Giovanni Caforio, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Bristol-Myers Squibb. The gala is one of the largest fundraising events in New Jersey and benefits Community Hope’s programs to rescue more than 1,000 veterans and veteran families annually from homelessness and supports their residential housing program serving over 100 people daily recovering from mental illness.
In 1997, Fred Hassan founded the charity event for Community Hope to enhance community-based services to coincide with pharmaceutical advances in mental health treatment. Since then, the Sparkle of Hope event has raised more than $15 million and continues to grow bringing together the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries in support of a common cause. Mr. Hassan, presently Chairman of the Caret Group and Director of Warburg Pincus, continues to serve as Founding Chair of the event. This year’s event was led by Brent Saunders, Chairman, President and CEO of Allergan plc. Mr. Saunders has significant healthcare industry experience and a proven track-record leading business transformations and integrations.
This year, Community Hope recognized Dr. Caforio, an active champion for biomedical innovation and greater patient access to novel therapies. Dr. Caforio leads a company focused on discovering, developing, and delivering transformational medicines, including a portfolio of immunotherapies that are fundamentally changing the way cancer is treated. With a background as a physician, Dr. Caforio has helped strengthen the company’s patient-focused culture.
Brent Saunders, Chairman and CEO, Allergan, plc (right) presents the Sparkle of Hope Award to Dr. Giovanni Caforio, Chairman and CEO, Bristol-Myers Squibb, the 2019 Sparkle of Hope Honoree.Dr. Giovanni Caforio, Chairman and CEO, Bristol-Myers Squibb gives his acceptance speech at the Sparkle of Hope.Gala Co-Chairs and Community Hope Leadership at the Sparkle of Hope 2019. Pictured left to right: Diana Lunt, Community Hope Board of Directors President; Carmine V. Deo, Community Hope Executive Director; Joseph C. Papa, Chairman of the Board and CEO, Bausch Health; Shaji Procida, President and COO, Eisai, Inc.; Fred Hassan, Chairman, Carat Group, Director, Warburg Pincus and Sparkle of Hope Founding Chair; Dr. Giovanni Caforio, Chairman and CEO, Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sparkle of Hope Honoree; Paul Navarre, CEO, Ferring Holding Inc., USA; Ed Stelmakh, Senior Vice President and CFO, Otsuka America, Inc.; Thomas Kendris, U.S. Country President, Novartis Corporation and Honorary Chair; and Brent Saunders, Chairman and CEO Allergan, plc and Sparkle of Hope Leadership Chair.Mr. & Mrs. Fred and Noreen Hassan at the 2019 Sparkle of Hope Gala. Mr. Hassan, Chairman, Carat Group and Director, Warburg Pincus, served as the Founding Chair of the Gala, establishing the event in support of Community Hope in 1997.Mr. & Mrs. Thomas and Donna Kendris at the Sparkle of Hope Gala. Mr. Kendris, U.S. Country President, Novartis Corporation, served as the Gala Honorary Chair.Guests at the Sparkle of Hope Gala. Pictured from right: John Iannetta, Member of Community Hope Board of Directors; Carmine V. Deo, Executive Director, Community Hope; Jen Zimmer, Partner and Bob Peterson, consultant, both from Insigniam.
