On Wednesday, May 12, 2010, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation (PDF) held its annual Bal du Printemps Gala at The Pierre in New York City.  Approximately 300 supporters attended this yearly Spring gala which raised $500,000 for the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation and its research programs.  Fox 5 News anchor Ernie Anastos was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.  This year, John and Margo Catsimatidis and Family received the inaugural Page and William Black Family Philanthropy Award for their ongoing support of PDF.  The Light of Day Foundation and Robert Benjamin received the Page and William Black Humanitarian Award for their outstanding commitment to Parkinson’s research.  Page Morton Black, Amy Goldman and Judith Sulzberger, M.D. were the Honorary Gala Co-Chairs.  Jill Taub Drury, Stephanie Goldman-Pittel, Stevi Gurkoff, Karen Burke Goulandris, M.D., Ph.D., Isobel Robins Konecky and Arlene Levine were the Gala Co-Chairs.  John K. Castle, Chairman and CEO of Castle Harlan, Inc.; Stephen M. Ackerman, Senior Vice President of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Alan C. Greenberg, Vice Chairman Emeritus of J.P. Morgan Chase; and Howard DeWitt Morgan, Senior Managing Director of Castle Harlan Inc. were the Corporate Co-Chairs.  The black tie evening began with a cocktail reception at 6:30 pm and was followed by dinner and dancing at 7:30 pm.  Music was provided by the Paul Richards Band.  The evening also included musical performances by Willie Nile, Jesse Malin and Dawn Allynne. Every year, philanthropic leaders join together at Bal du Printemps to help raise funds to support PDF’s research programs as well as to honor outstanding members of the community for their work against Parkinson’s.  This event has been cultivated over the years by Page Morton Black, Chairman of the PDF Board and wife of the late William Black, founder of PDF.  The Parkinson’s Disease Foundation is a leading national presence in Parkinson’s disease research, education and public advocacy.  Created by William Black, the founder of Chock full o’Nuts, a successful New York coffee and restaurant business, PDF was the first national not-for-profit organization to focus on Parkinson’s disease.  PDF is working for nearly one million people in the US living with Parkinson’s by funding promising scientific research and supporting people with Parkinson’s, their families and caregivers through educational programs and support services.  Since its founding in 1957, PDF has funded over $80 million worth of scientific research in Parkinson’s disease, supporting the work of leading scientists throughout the world.  For additional information on the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, please visit www.pdf.org.