2007 NORD Tribute Banquet on May 21

The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) will hold its 2007 Tribute Banquet on May 21. At this annual event NORD honors individuals and companies that have made significant contributions to improving the lives of people affected by rare diseases. This year's honorees are:

NORD Leadership Awards
• U.S. Representative Judy Biggert (R-IL)
• U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter (D-NY)

NORD Public Health Leadership Award
• William Gahl, MD, Ph.D., National Institutes of Health

NORD International Leadership Award
• The European Organization for Rare Disorders (EURORDIS)

NORD Corporate Leadership Awards
• Alexion Pharmaceuticals for the development of Soliris to treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
• Genzyme Corporation, for the development of Myozyme to treat Pompe disease
• Karl Storz Endoscopy-America, Inc., for the development of a device for twin to twin transfusion syndrome
• Shire Human Genetics, for the development of Elaprase to treat mucopolysaccharidosis type II (Hunter syndrome)