News
Celtic Connection Committee honors Alpha-1 researcher's success with the 2012 Shillelagh award
NEWTON, Massachusetts — Every year, Alphas, their friends and families join to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day – usually a bit early – at the Celtic Connection dinner. The dinner, apart from being a great time, is also a fundraiser for Alpha-1 research programs.
As usual, this year’s event on March 10 will feature a traditional Irish dinner, live music, and a performance by Irish step dancers.
This year, longtime Irish researcher Noel G. “Gerry” McElvaney, MD, PhD, will be honored with the 2012 Irish Shillelagh award. McElvaney is a professor of medicine and chairman of the Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.
“The Shillelagh is an anchient celtic weapon of Ireland. It symbolizes the battle that Alpha-1 doctors and researchers are waging in the war against Alpha-1,” says Fred Walsh, a member of Celtic Connection committee and Massachusetts AlphaNet coordinator.
McElvaney was a researcher at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) from 1988-93, conducting clinical trials that helped lead to the development of augmentation therapy and the Alpha-1 Foundation Research Registry. Later he was a senior staff fellow at the Pulmonary-Critical Care Medicine Branch of the NIH.
Walsh hopes many of those Alphas who worked with McElvaney at the NIH will come to the Celtic Connection celebration honoring him. Anyone who can’t attend is welcome to contact Walsh with any anecdotes or best wishes for the occasion. Reach him at:
You may also call 1-800-791-3194 or email fcwalsh@alphanet.org.
The Celtic Connection dinner will be held Saturday, March 10, from 7-11 pm at the Boston Marriott Newton, 2345 Commonwealth Ave., Newton MA 02466. Tickets are $40.
For information or to buy tickets, contact Bob Healy, committee chair, at 781- 447-1447 or e-mail bobhealy125@msn.com..
Harney Academy step dancers perform traditional Irish dances
