HeartGift will receive the Humanitarian Organization Award from the United Nations Association Austin Chapter for providing heart surgeries to children with congenital heart defects. The award will be presented at the 70th anniversary of the United Nations dinner. Since 2000, HeartGift has served over 260 children from 33 countries through lifesaving heart surgery. Ambassador Lewis Lucke will present the award and commended HeartGift for their humanitarian relief efforts.

1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 22, 2015
HeartGift awarded Humanitarian Organization Award for 2015 from the
United Nations Association Austin Chapter
Austin, Texas – HeartGift will be presented with the prestigious Humanitarian Organization
Award on October 22, 2015 for outstanding work of providing heart surgeries to children
with Congenital Heart Defects. The previous year’s awardee was Frank Cooksey, former
Mayor of Austin whose impact inspired humanitarian efforts that spanned from Austin to
Asia.
The United Nations Association Austin Chapter will present Dr. John “Chip” Oswalt,
HeartGift Board Chair, and William Van Pelt, CEO, the award at the 70th
Anniversary of the
United Nations dinner to be held at the Oasis. The award will be presented by Ambassador
Lewis Lucke, former U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Swaziland and former USAID
Mission Director in Haiti, Jordan, Brazil and Bolivia. He commended HeartGift on their
success of humanitarian relief for children suffering heart defects.
“We have always recognized that our mission is great. It’s an honor that the UNA
recognizes all the families, volunteers, doctors and medical professionals it has taken to
save over 260 children,” said Dr. Chip Oswalt when notified of the award.
"This award is deeply deserved as HeartGift has directly saved the lives of over 260
overseas kids though heart surgery they have provided for free. Sincere kudos to HeartGift
staff, doctors, volunteers and sponsors for a great concept, organization and execution,”
said Ambassador Lewis Lucke.
HeartGift provides lifesaving heart surgery to children from around the world where
specialized medical treatment is either scarce or nonexistent. Since its founding in 2000,
HeartGift has served more than 260 children and their families from 33 countries. HeartGift
has chapters located in Austin, Dallas, Houston, New Orleans, and San Antonio.
www.heartgift.org
The United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA) is a
membership organization dedicated to inform, inspire, and mobilize the American people to
support the ideals and vital work of the United Nations. For 70 years UNA-USA has worked
to accomplish its mission through its national network of Chapters, youth engagement,
advocacy efforts, education programs and public events. UNA-USA is a program of the
United Nations Foundation. The home office is in Washington, D.C. www.unausa.org
Contact Information:
HeartGift UN Association – Austin Chapter
William Van Pelt, CEO Felora Derakhshani
wvanpelt@heartgift.org felora99@gmail.com
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