NIH employees have surpassed themselves once again with record- breaking generosity toward the Combined Federal Campaign. In total, more than $2.2 million has been contributed to local, national and international charities.

This year’s Hollywood theme was “Have a Heart, Be a Star.” NIH opened the campaign with a kickoff featuring celebrities such as former U.S. congressman and actor Fred Grandy, known for his role as Gopher in the TV show The Love Boat and WMAL radio host Andy Parks. The campaign continued with special events hosted by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, this year’s lead IC. Events like Hollywood Squares at the Rockledge Complex and Executive Boulevard Becomes Hollywood Boulevard added energy to the campaign.

The biggest hit of CFC 2007 was Dancing with the NIH Stars, which had the IC directors showing off their Western line-dancing talents. The likenesses of Elvis, Johnny Depp, Judy Garland and other stars greeted staff at buildings across campus and helped spread news of the campaign.

NIH director Dr. Elias Zerhouni was challenged by NHLBI director Dr. Elizabeth Nabel to wear a red blazer in order to raise awareness of the campaign and encourage support. Not only did NIH easily beat its goal of $1.8 million, but it also set a new record. To acknowledge that generosity, and also to support National Heart Health Month, Zerhouni is wearing a red blazer during the first 2 weeks in February.