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The Iris Alliance Fund hosted its Third Annual Gala fundraiser featuring Mariel Hemingway and notable mental health experts from across the nation. The Gala took place on Thursday, October 14, 2004 at The Clift Hotel in San Francisco.

The event brought together leaders and advocates in the mental health community, as well as raised money to support efforts in decreasing teen suicide and eliminating the stigma of mental illness. The event's keynote speaker, actress and author Mariel Hemingway, moved the audience with her insights regarding her family’s and her own struggles with mental illness and suicide. “We were pleased and honored to have Ms. Hemingway join us to help raise awareness of this very preventable public health problem,” said Mary Hayashi, founder and president of the Iris Alliance Fund.

California Assembly Member Darrell Steinberg, a tireless supporter of mental health issues during his tenure in the Legislature, also spoke, and Bay Area philanthropist Marcia Goldman was honored for her commitment to children’s mental wellness. Kevin McCormack, an award-winning medical producer at KRON-TV news, served as the Master of Ceremonies.

Earlier in the day, the Iris Alliance Fund also convened the annual meeting of its National Leadership Council. The meeting featured remarks by author Paul Raeburn and the release of the Iris Alliance Fund’s national and California state survey on adults’ perceptions of teen suicide. This survey, which revealed that 42 percent of Americans know someone who attempted or committed suicide as a teenager, is the first-ever study to attempt to measure the reach of teen suicide.

“Through the Annual Gala and Meeting, we hope to further the dialogue among mental health and teen experts and advocates and discuss ways to prevent youth suicide nationally and in our own communities,” said Hayashi. “Suicide affects not only the victim, but friends, family, neighbors, the community and the entire nation.”

Click here to view the opinion poll press release and highlights (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).

	Iris Alliance Fund President Mary Hayashi, Honoree Marcia Goldman, and John Goldman.
	Mary Hayashi, Mariel Hemingway, and Research!America President Mary Woolley
	Mariel Hemingway, Mary Suilmann of Telecare Corporation, Richard Crispino of Bonita House, and Darrell Steinberg
	Hayward City Councilmember Kevin Dowling, Mary Hayashi, and Darrell Steinberg.
	Sarah Lee of NAWHO, Hyun Jeong Lee, and Anna Kirk.
	Dr. Rodney Hammond of CDC, Mariel Hemingway, Mary Hayashi, and Dr. Henry Foster of Vanderbilt University.