Once Again, NIH Surpasses CFC Goal
Photo: Credit Bill Branson
At a Mar. 8 event in Wilson Hall, NIH celebrated an achievement that is now becoming characteristic of the agency—surpassing its goal in the annual Combined Federal Campaign.
The 2016 goal for NIH, which was spearheaded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, was $2,340,000. NIH raised $2,421,889. Talk about demonstrating the campaign theme “Show Some Love.”
The celebration was hosted by NIH director Dr. Francis Collins and NIDA director Dr. Nora Volkow, who were NIH CFC 2016 co-chairs. Joellen Austin, NIDA’s executive officer, served as emcee.
Photo: Bill Branson
Guest speaker was Dave Smith, CEO of Special Love, Inc., which sponsors the annual Camp Fantastic for kids with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. He and Collins strapped on guitars and performed a special tune, “Thank you for giving to the CFC.”
Each of NIH’s 27 institutes and centers was presented an award in one of 5 categories: NIH Achievement Award, CFC of the National Capital Area (CFCNCA) Merit, CFCNCA Honor, CFCNCA Chairman’s and CFCNCA President’s.
Earlier in March, HHS and CFCNCA representatives announced awards that NIH received at the CFCNCA awards ceremony at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
NIH was presented with three honors: Best Use of Social Media, Best Website and Electronic Communication and Most Innovative Campaign Technique. Also, CIT won Best Poster.
Additionally, NCI’s Cathy Battistone won Hero of the Year for serving as a CFC coordinator for more than 40 years and for her service to the U.S. Coast Guard and other organizations.
At the event’s end, Volkow and Austin passed the CFC banner to NINDS director Dr. Walter Koroshetz and the institute’s executive officer Dr. Maureen Gormley. They will lead the NIH CFC charge in 2017.
Photo: Bill Branson