Milo Supports Hayden as She Receives Genesis Award
Hayden Panettiere with Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle at the Genesis Awards.
Heroes star Hayden Panettiere was awarded the Gretchen Wyler Award last Saturday night at the Humane Society’s annual Genesis Awards. She received the award for her work with Save the Whales Again campaign. The award is named for actress Gretchen Wyler, who founded the awards. Wyler died last year after a battle with breast cancer.
Hayden’s parents and boyfriend, co-star Milo Ventimiglia, were in the audience to watch the awards ceremony. During the presentation, a video was shown of Hayden and other activists paddling out on surfboards and confronting Japanese fishermen about the trapping of Dolphins. Hayden was in tears as she gave her brief acceptance speech.
“As an actress, you always dream of getting awards like the Golden Globe award, but I never expected to get an award that is this special and important to me as this,” Hayden said through tears. “There are people who dedicate their entire lives to preserving the environment and defending animals, they are so much more deserving of something like this.”
Hayden received a standing ovation from the audience. Then she left the stage and went straight to the bathroom for a few minutes to regain her composure. She was later escorted back to her seat by Milo.
“She’s an inspiring example to her generation, using her compassion, courage and celebrity to help animals in a very effective way,â€? said Beverly Kaskey, Senior Director of the Humane Society’s Hollywood Office.
Congratulations to Hayden on her award!
April 4th, 2008 at 4:56 am
It’s the HUMANE Society, not Human Society. It’s for Humane Humans
April 4th, 2008 at 6:14 am
Oops. Thanks Alicia. Those are the type-o’s spell check just doesn’t find.
All fixed now!