Celebrities, Diabetics Unite to Raise Awareness

Columbia University Medical Center’s Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center held a major fundraising event, dubbed Art Rocks!, off Chelsea Piers Wednesday night. Over 500 guests gathered on the Seafair yacht to dance and raise awareness for diabetes alongside designer Tommy Hilfiger and former American Idol contestants Elliott Yamin and Constantine Maroulis.

The three co-chairs of the Young Friends Group of the Berrie Center—Nicole Berrie, Michael Fredo, and Todd Peebler—have all been personally affected by diabetes in some capacity. Berrie’s father, Russ, died from complications resulting from diabetes in 2002, five years after founding NBDC. Fredo’s mother suffers from diabetes, and Peebler is diabetic himself.

The yacht was adorned with art, as galleries dotted every deck.

“Diabetes is really hard for everyone, but especially for children,” said Robin Goland, co-founder and co-director of NBDC. “It’s really extraordinary and inspirational that these young people have the passion ... to devote themselves to helping other children.”

William Gahagan, an NBDC patient, added that being diagnosed relatively late in life made it easier to adjust. “I can’t imagine how hard it is for kids,” he said.

One of the highlights of the night was the appearance of Yamin, the third-place Idol finisher in 2006. The second runner-up was diagnosed with Type I diabetes at “the tender age of 15 and a half.”

“The foundation [the Berrie Center] contacted my management team, and I knew right off the bat ... that it was necessary to come and show my support,” Yamin said.
Patients extolled the Berrie Center’s unique treatment of diabetics. “They really helped me put my life back to gether,” Peebler said.

“It’s great to see a facility that’s totally dedicated to ... all things diabetes,” Yamin said. “We need one of these everywhere.”

And for Yamin, “everywhere” has international connotations. He is currently promoting a program, dubbed “Inspired by Diabetes,” that aims to raise money to make treatment more accessible for diabetics in third-world countries.

“We’re raising money to bring insulin to all those areas where they’re lacking it,” he said. “I can’t imagine life without insulin.”

According to Nicole Berrie, the event raised over $100,000 for pediatric diabetes research, and she and her co-organizers hope to make Art Rocks! an annual event.
“This is a great way to get people who are interested in fine art and fine living involved to donate to a very important cause,” Fredo said. “It’s an excellent opportunity for people who enjoy raising money and awareness ... and every little bit helps to find a cure.”

Maggie Astor can be reached at news@columbiaspectator.com.