HHDC Board of Advisors Take the Lead for Year-End Giving Effort
November was National Diabetes Month, a time when communities across the country team up to bring attention to diabetes. To help us kick off this month of awareness, the HHDC Board of Advisors hosted our biennial Fall Open House on the evening of November 10th, in the Meinders Atrium of the Hamm Diabetes Center. The event was attended by members of the Board, many of our distinguished research faculty and guests, as well as friends and potential friends of the HHDC.
Ahead of the event, member Brad Haines, Chairman of Bank7, had pledged a gift of $50,000 to support diabetes research. That evening, the check was presented to Founder Harold Hamm, Board Chair Shelly Lambertz, and HHDC Director Dr. Jed Friedman. Afterwards, Mr. Haines took to the podium and encouraged attendees to seriously consider making a gift, regardless of how large or small.
HHDC friend and longtime Gala supporter, Christian Kanady was also present that night. Christian is the Founding Partner of Echo, an Oklahoma City-based investment firm. He, too, had reached out to Dr. Friedman in the weeks prior to the event, writing, “Your mission is mission critical for Oklahoma and I’ll lend whatever resources I can to your vision for the cure.” Encouraged by Mr. Haines’ presentation, he spoke with Mr. Hamm and pledged to match the $50,000 gift.
One member of the board that could not be in attendance that evening was David Le Norman. Dave is the Managing Partner and Founder of Reign Capital Holdings in Oklahoma City and has been a long-time supporter of HHDS. He heard about the events of the evening, and while speaking with Mr. Hamm the following day, he also pledged to match Mr. Haines’ gift. He stated, “My wife, Cory, and I have been advocates for children’s health and wellness for a long time now. We know the first 1,000 days of a child’s life is critical in reversing or preventing the onset of diabetes. This is one of the reasons why it is my pleasure to serve on the board of the Harold Hamm Diabetes Center and to contribute to diabetes research and health services. I’d also like to acknowledge Brad Haines from Bank7. It was his recent generosity and encouragement to match funds that inspired this particular gift and we hope it continues to inspire others to support this important cause.”
These were not the only…