The Booming Celebration tradition began in 1993 when a close group of friends gathered at a small Long Island pub to help the Esiason family in fighting a cause close to their hearts.

That year, 175 people joined together to raise $60,000. Enthusiasm and support has grown exponentially over the years. Today, the 800 people who attend the annual flagship fundraising event help to raise an average of $3 million. Booming Celebration has raised nearly $25 million in support of the fight against cystic fibrosis.

This event has been held at elegant New York City venues including The Plaza Hotel, the Regent Wall Street and The Waldorf=Astoria. Guests have been entertained by top-shelf musical acts: Credence Clearwater Revisited, KC and the Sunshine Band, Kool and the Gang, Hootie and the Blowfish, Richard Marx and Don Felder, formerly of The Eagles. The extensive live and silent auction has included travel packages, sports memorabilia and unique jewelry.

But the real stars of Booming Celebration are the children and young adults who are living with cystic fibrosis. In 2003, the guests who gathered to mark the event’s 10th anniversary were captivated as 11-year-old Gunnar Esiason made his first public speaking appearance. Just three years later, Gunnar and his sister, Sydney, were the hosts of Booming Celebration. Now, Gunnar is 17 and living, breathing proof that people with cystic fibrosis can live full, happy lives.

The opportunity has never been greater to develop new drug treatments for Gunnar and the 30,000 other Americans living with cystic fibrosis. About 91 percent of every dollar raised at Booming Celebration and other Foundation events enhances their lives and gives them more tomorrows.

View the 2008 Booming Celebration Wrap Up