Chrysler LLC Vice Chairman and President Jim Press and His Wife Suwichada Serve as Honorary Co-Chairs of Annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Pr...( AUBURN HILLS Mich. May 13 /- Fund...),Health

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Fund-raising for disease research got a boost Friday night as Chrysler LLC Vice Chairman and President Jim Press and his wife Suwichada presided as honorary chairs for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's (JDRF) 23rd annual Promise Ball in Dearborn, Mich.

As part of the evening's activities, the Jane Jospey Cobb Promise Award was presented to Cynthia and Edsel B. Ford II. The award is given each year to individuals who have distinguished themselves in advancing the mission of the organization through their support of research.

"Chrysler is proud to support the annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Promise Ball, and I would like to congratulate the Jane Jospey Cobb Promise Award recipients, Cynthia and Edsel B. Ford II, for their dedication to diabetes research," Press said. "The contributions raised will support much-needed type 1 diabetes research worldwide, to provide help and hope to children affected by this disease."

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation has been a primary source of funding for research done worldwide to find a cure for juvenile diabetes, and the organization has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in its 35-year history. Furthermore, this successful Promise Ball event raised approximately $700,000 for the organization in one night.

"Jim Press is one of the most respected leaders in the auto industry and in the Detroit community, and having personally known him for nearly three decades, we are thrilled that he and his wife Suwichada are serving as honorary chairs of the Promise Ball," said Jean M. Jennings, editor in chief of Automobile Magazine and master of ceremonies for the Promise Ball. "Jim's influence is such that, given his participation, we have surpassed our record attendance for this sold-out fund-raising event."

Local Chrysler LLC dealers also were in attendance to share in the festivities including Dan and Dee Frost (Southfiel
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