Selection of Winners

Following the nomination deadline, Gerard Health Foundation representatives will conduct a careful review of all submissions and select a group of finalists. The finalists are then evaluated with the assistance of our Awards Selection Advisory Committee.

Up to six individuals and/or organizations will be chosen as winners. The total prize amount of $600,000 will be divided among the winners. The Gerard Health Foundation reserves the right to increase or decrease the value of individual prizes in order to award very special recognition to an individual or organization.

Any winners still in school may receive their award in scholarship form.

Awards Selection Advisory Committee

The members of the Awards Selection Committee of the Life Prizes Award are: Dr. John Willke, President, Life Issues Institute, Inc., Richard Doerflinger, Associate Director of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities, Margaret Hartshorn, Ph. D., President, Heartbeat International, and Kay Coles James, Founder and President of the Gloucester Institute.

The Award Ceremony

The inaugural Life Prizes awards, named in memory of Norinne A. and Raymond E. Ruddy, strong believers in the life cause and parents of Raymond B. Ruddy, were presented at an invitation-only ceremony on January 23, 2009 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.