Preakness at the Piazza Celebrates 5th Annual National Multiple Sclerosis Society Fundraiser

After four successful years and over $471,000 raised for charity, the highly anticipated Preakness at the Piazza returns for the 142nd running of the Preakness Stakes. On Saturday, May 20 from 5 – 9:30 p.m. at The Piazza at Schmidt’s Commons, over 1,200 guests will come together to support the National MS Society and don their derby attire of fancy hats, frocks, and fabulous bow ties. This is a can’t-miss fundraiser with great food, entertainment, and of course, amazing fashion!

Back by popular demand, FOX 29 News Co-Anchor, Alex Holley and Pat Gallen of CBS3 Eyewitness News are set to host this year’s fundraiser. The most highly anticipated spring event includes a live screening of the 142nd Preakness Stakes on The Piazza’s 400 square-foot LED screen. Guests will experience the energy of the races while enjoying an open bar, decadent food buffets, live music, dancing, and raffles.

Says Geoff Gross, CEO of Medical Guardian and Founder of the event, “Preakness at the Piazza has been a passion project of mine since I found out my best friend was diagnosed with MS. With this being the 5th year we are turning it up a notch and planning some really exciting things for our attendees. We are so happy to have Alex and Pat join us again this year and we hope that this is our biggest event, we raise more money than ever for the MS Society, and help end MS once and for all.”

It’s becoming a Preakness at the Piazza tradition to enjoy Tito’s Handmade Vodka as the Seabiscuit sponsor, making buzz worthy cocktails that guests can enjoy. Other returning sponsors include Simon & Simon PC, Brown-Forman Beverages, and we’re excited to highlight a new sponsor: Fishtown Social! Tickets for this year’s event are now available for general admission ($89) and VIP ($165), along with discounts for groups. For more information, please visit www.preaknessatthepiazza.com. Those interested in a sponsorship of any kind can also visit the event website for more information and a full list of our sponsors. The sponsorship categories include Seabiscuit ($10,000), Smarty Jones ($5,000), Funny Cide ($2,500), Citation ($1,500) and I’ll Have Another ($1,000).

“Preakness at the Piazza is a wonderful event where we get to have fun while raising money for the MS Society,” said Kevin. “Everyone who attends helps to accelerate the progress in MS research, and gives us the resources to provide programs and services to people living with the disease” says Kevin Moffitt – President of the Greater Delaware Valley Chapter of the National MS Society.

Stay connected with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to receive updates as we get closer to the running of the Preakness Stakes. Check out our photos and videos to see what’s in store!

About Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is an unpredictable, often disabling disease of the central nervous system that disrupts the flow of information within the brain, and between the brain and body. Symptoms range from numbness and tingling to blindness and paralysis. The progress, severity and specific symptoms of MS in any one person cannot yet be predicted, but advances in research and treatment are leading to better understanding and moving us closer to a world free of MS. Most people with MS are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 50, with at least two to three times more women than men being diagnosed with the disease. MS affects more than 2.3 million worldwide.

About the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The Society mobilizes people and resources so that everyone affected by multiple sclerosis can live their best lives as we stop MS in its tracks, restore what has been lost and end MS forever. To fulfill this mission, the Society funds cutting-edge research, drives change through advocacy, facilitates professional education, collaborates with MS organizations around the world, and provides services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward. Last year alone, through our comprehensive nationwide network, the Society devoted $122.2 million to help more than one million individuals connect to the people, information and resources they need. To move closer to a world free of MS, the Society also invested $54 million to support more than 380 new and ongoing research projects around the world. Early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can make a difference for people with multiple sclerosis. Learn about your options by talking to your health care professional and contacting the National MS Society at nationalMSsociety.org or 1-800-344-4867. To learn more about the National MS Society and how you can help, please visit www.nationalmssociety.org.

Press Contact: Kate Marlys
Phone: 267-930-8733
Questions: maria.oberst@nmss.org
Press Inquiries: info@phillyprgirl.com