Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Life Prizes and what does it aim to accomplish?
Life Prizes is a new award program created by the Gerard Health Foundation to award up to $600,000 for outstanding efforts to awaken the conscience of America to the sanctity of human life. The life movement is broad and diverse, and our aim is to shine a spotlight on the achievements of these unsung heroes in public advocacy, scientific research, outreach and public disclosure activities, legal action and other activities.
Life Prizes has also been created to encourage and inspire the next generation to be bold and brilliant in accomplishing great things for the cause of life. Polls show young people are more life than their parents' generation. We hope Life Prizes will encourage them to put their beliefs into action and inspire them to be the life-saving heroes of tomorrow.
Why is an award program like this needed?
Americans are widely known and lauded for our generosity and initiative. We celebrate advances in science, medicine, politics, and many other endeavors, granting awards to those who find new ways to promote and advance the betterment of society, the longevity of life, the end of disease. It is only fitting that, in the company of these great celebrations, there is a new award to honor advances in the greatest human rights battle of our day. Life Prizes will not only reward those who are doing sacrificial work to promote a culture of life, but in the greatest human rights challenge of our day, but by shining a light on this heroic work will inspire others to take up the battle for the cause of life.
What will Life Prizes mean to the next generation of lifers?
Today we are witnessing an exciting phenomenon: a whole generation of young people rebelling against the anti-life mentality of the current age and adopting a counter-cultural attitude of defending the sanctity of all members of the human family. As Life Prizes sheds light on the powerful work being done across the country for the cause of life, we hope these young people will be encouraged to put their beliefs into action. The next generation will have the power either to further entrench the cultural threats to life or to create a culture where every human life is respected.
Can individuals or organizations apply for the awards?
Following the lead of the Bradley Foundation and other established prize programs, there is no application process for Life Prizes and the nominations process is closed. Nominees may be submitted only by a pre-selected list of nominators, including more than 100 leaders from all parts of the life movement who support the values and principles of the Gerard Health Foundation. Nominators may be nominated for a Life Prize award but they may not nominate themselves.
Who is eligible to win a Life Prize?
All living individuals and non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organizations residing or operating in the United States are eligible to be nominated. We reserve the right, however, to make exceptions for outstanding international achievements.
We prefer that nominated individuals and organizations not be employees or agencies of government. Again, we reserve the right to make an exception for extraordinary achievements.
How much will each award recipient receive?
The prize money of $600,000 will be divided among up to six individuals and/or organizations. With the help of a distinguished committee of selection advisors, the Gerard Health Foundation will determine the winners and how the prize money will be divided, taking into account the achievements of the recipients. Any winner still in school may receive his award in scholarship form.
How will the Foundation select award 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 will then be evaluated with the assistance of our Awards Selection Advisory Committee, which includes the Archbishop of Denver Charles Chaput, the Reverend Dr. Alveda King, Ambassador Raymond Flynn, and Professor Hadley Arkes of Amherst College. Up to six individuals and/or organizations will be chosen as winners.
When will winners be announced and awarded?
Life Prizes winners will be announced in the Fall and the awards will be presented at an invitation-only ceremony. This year's ceremony was on January 23, 2009 at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
Who is the Gerard Health Foundation?
The Gerard Health Foundation is the private charity foundation of Marilyn A. and Raymond B. Ruddy. The Gerard Health Foundation is dedicated to saving lives through support and financing of initiatives throughout the world, including HIV/AIDS prevention, pregnancy resource centers, international life education, youth outreach and development, judicial reform, abstinence education, and supporting children's hospitals in Africa among other activities. Gerard Health Foundation is located at 21 Eliot Street, Suite 4, Natick, MA 01760.
What is the official name of the award?
The Life Prizes inaugural award is named the "Norinne A. and Raymond E. Ruddy Memorial Life Prizes" in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond E. Ruddy, strong believers in the life cause and parents of Raymond B. Ruddy.
Who has already spoken out in support of the program?
The Life Prizes program is being championed by life and family leaders:
- Dr. Jack Willke, President of Life Issues Institute and former president of the National Right to Life Committee stated, "I'm thrilled to see a program that will recognize those who have accomplished incredible feats in the name of life. The Life Prizes program will elevate the life commitment in remembering the significant victories we have achieved and demonstrates that there are many fruits to be harvested by the next generation in carrying the life torch and taking the movement to a new level."
- Peggy Hartshorn, President of Heartbeat International is in agreement that Life Prizes shows great promise. "The program will not only honor the sacrifices of those who have devoted their lives to save others, but it will also spur the life-saving heroes of tomorrow on to even greater accomplishments."
- Kristan Hawkins, Executive Director of Students for Life of America, is also excited about the program. "We are building incredible momentum among today's youth in the life movement. Life Prizes can transform that momentum into inspiration for today's teenagers, college students and young professionals."
- Cathy Ruse, a prominent lawyer in the life movement who has held several high level positions promoting life causes, has accepted the position of Executive Director of Life Prizes. "Life Prizes is an idea born from Mr. Ruddy, who has worked for many years assisting numerous groups and organizations through his business savvy and generous philanthropy. Our primary objective is to reward those who are preserving the culture of life through their charitable enterprises or through advocacy programs that defend and preserve the sanctity of human life. We also hope to encourage young people to embrace and create a culture of life for future generations to come," said Ms. Ruse.
Recognizing people making a difference