During National Glaucoma Awareness Month, Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) celebrates its 30th Anniversary on January 23, 2008, with a gala benefit at the Westin St. Francis Hotel Tower in San Francisco. The annual event, “Speeding the Cure. Spreading the Word.” showcases recent advances in GRF-funded research. The Gala includes presentation of the Catalyst Award, GRF’s most prestigious honor, to Cary Rayment, chairman, president and CEO of Alcon Laboratories in Fort Worth, Texas.
The event begins at 5 p.m. with a scientific overview of recent research advances presented by the four principal investigators of GRF’s Catalyst For a Cure consortium. Presenters will include David Calkins, Ph.D., Vanderbilt University; Philip Horner Ph.D., University of Washington; Nicholas Marsh-Armstrong Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University; and Monica Vetter Ph.D., University of Utah. With the demonstrated brilliance of these young scientists’ discoveries, this segment is one of the annual event’s most popular activities. A reception follows at 6 p.m. and dinner commences at 7 p.m.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Glaucoma Research Foundation,” says GRF’s President and CEO Thomas M. Brunner, “Everyone is vulnerable to glaucoma, from babies to seniors. Only half of those affected are aware of their condition. The benefit gala is an important way for us to raise awareness and much needed funds to support our ongoing educational programs and innovative research to find a cure.”
The Gala national co-chairs are Mona and Ed Zander, chairman and CEO of Motorola. Charles Munnerlyn Ph.D., the father of laser refractive surgery, and his wife Judy are the event co-chairs. Event committee members include Board President Deirdre Porter and Bradford Hall, and Wallace and Thomas Brunner, president and CEO of GRF. The Anniversary Committee is chaired by GRF co-founders Dr. H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr. and Dr. John Hetherington, and their wives Ann and Susan, respectively. June Behrendt is chair of the Auction Committee.
Individual tickets are $300, with tables available at $25,000, $15,000, $10,000 and $6,000. For information, or to receive an invitation, please contact Craig Palmer, 415.986.3162.
About The Glaucoma Research Foundation
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in the United States. Founded in 1978 in San Francisco, the Glaucoma Research Foundation is the oldest national foundation working to prevent vision loss from glaucoma by investing in innovative research, education and support with the ultimate goal of finding a cure.
Glaucoma Research Foundation