Fort Lauderdale, Fla.— Stewart H. Lapayowker and Michele J. Lapayowker, received the “Dream Makers Humanitarian Award” at the Debbie’s Dream Foundation seventh annual “Dream Makers Gala” held on April 9 at Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood.
Debbie’s Dream Foundation is a non-profit organization with the mission to cure stomach cancer.
The Lapayowkers have been supporters of Debbie’s Dream since its inception and, for the last five years, have been the “Stand up Sponsor” at the charity’s Night of Laughter fundraiser held at the Improv – Hard Rock Hotel, where Stewart does his stand-up routine delivering his original, unique form of comedy.
“The Lapayowker family has been there for Debbie’s Dream since the beginning,” said Debbie Zelman, president and founder of Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer. “The support of the Lapayowkers and others in the community make it possible for us to fund vital stomach cancer research; advocate for increased federal research funding; and to educate and support patients.”
In addition to Debbie’s Dream, the Lapayowkers are committed to supporting a variety of charitable causes, including Temple Kol Ami-Emanuel, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (where they are founding members of the Blue Wave Club) and the Corporate Angel Network (which arranges transportation on corporate aircraft for cancer patients who cannot travel by airline). Following hurricane Katrina, in addition to raising money to assist those in need, they accepted a displaced family of 4 into their home until they could return to New Orleans.
The Lapayowkers also teamed with a noted behavioral psychologist to develop “Project Alert” (ASD and Law Enforcement Working Together), a program designed to improve the interaction of law enforcement with young drivers that have autism spectrum disorder, the concepts of which have been incorporated by the Broward Sheriff’s department in its supervisors manual.
Dr. Lapayowker is a board certified gynecologist caring for women in South Florida since 1995. She focuses her practice on gynecology and women’s health issues. She is a strong believer in functional medicine and believes in the importance of continuing education in the areas of women’s care, nutrition and lifestyle.
Stewart Lapayowker is founder of Lapayowker Jet Counsel, P.A. and devotes his law practice to corporate aircraft transactions, worldwide. He is past-Chair of the National Business Aviation Association’s Tax and Regulatory Committee.
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Lapayowker Jet Counsel, P.A.: Based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the law firm focuses its practice on business aviation transactions worldwide, throughout the United States, Central and South America, the European Union, Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The firm regularly assists clients with a variety of transactional and litigation matters related to aviation, including the sale, purchase, regulatory analysis, financing and management of corporate aircraft. Their attorneys have experience working with legal departments and tax departments of large public companies to implement appropriate operating structures and planning objectives. Lapayowker Jet Counsel is committed to providing its clients with the finest aviation legal representation.
About Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer:
Debbie’s Dream Foundation: Curing Stomach Cancer is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness about stomach cancer, advancing funding for research, and providing education and support internationally to patients, families, and caregivers. Debra Zelman founded the organization in 2009 after being diagnosed with stage IV stomach cancer. DDF seeks as its ultimate goal to make the cure for stomach cancer a reality. For more information, please visit www.debbiesdream.org.
Media Contact: Don Silver of BoardroomPR, 954-370-8999, or donsil@boardroompr.com.
