Several hudred guests celebrated Irish Heritage by observing an early St. Patrick’s Day with friends and family to benefit Alpha-1 research and programs on Saturday, March 7, 2020 at the Boston Marriott Newton

The evenng featured a traditional corn beef and cabbage Irish dinner with live music by “Hogan’s Goat”, Irish step dancers from the Harney Academy of Walpole MA, The evening also recognized this year’s recipients of the 2020 “Shillelagh” award,Dr Virgina Clark, M.D of the University of Florida.

Here's a clip of the performance by the Harney Academy dancers: https://youtu.be/pk2AxXQsgw0

About Alpha 1- 

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is a genetic (inherited) condition – it is passed from parents to their children through their genes. Alpha-1 may result in serious lung disease in adults and/or liver disease at any age.

For each trait a person inherits, there are usually two genes; one gene comes from each parent. People with Alpha-1 have received two abnormal alpha-1 antitrypsin genes. One of these abnormal genes came from their mother and one from their father.