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Catalyst For a Cure Campaign Public Launch at the City Club, San Francisco
September 8, 2005 - To strains of “Turn, Turn, Turn” and “So You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star,” Roger McGuinn, legendary co-founder of The Byrds, brought an audience of GRF supporters to a standing ovation—the height of a very successful public launch to GRF’s Catalyst For a Cure campaign and redesigned website.
Hosted by GRF Board member June Behrendt, the doors of The City Club opened at 6:00 PM to a lively group of volunteers, supporters, board members and staff. Within the elegant Art Deco setting, excitement was palpable as guests renewed friendships, discussed GRF’s advancements, and navigated the new glaucoma.org website. Leading the guests in a toast to the honorary event co-chairs, June introduced Melissa Baker, Anabella Alvarez Denisoff and Michelle McMillan, representing “The Faces of Glaucoma.” Melissa presented June a check to GRF from the Alpine County Chamber of Commerce, a contribution made possible by the commitment of Melissa’s mother, Judy Molnar.
Dennis Singleton, Chairman of the GRF Board of Directors and master of ceremonies for the evening announced that Roger McGuinn of the famed folk-rock group The Byrds will serve as National Honorary Campaign Chairman. Roger, who is generously donating his time to GRF has recorded a new Public Service Announcement, soon to be released.
Tom Brunner took the stage to officially launch the redesigned www.glaucoma.org. He acknowledged Margaret Gamble Nelson and the Delta Gamma Foundation for leadership and generosity in sponsoring the website. Also applauded for their personal engagement and sponsorship of the site’s redesign were Union Bank’s Senior Vice President Julius Robinson, Vice President Conchita Miller, and Customer Service Representative A. Nafchi.
Dr. H. Dunbar Hoskins Jr., Executive Vice President for American Academy of Ophthalmology and co-founder of GRF, was invited to the podium to outline the accomplishments of the Catalyst For a Cure (CFC) research collaboration. Dunbar reported that in the first three-year phase, CFC scientists accomplished a great deal, including identifying underlying genetic mechanisms that may cause the death of retinal cells. He said that in the second three-year phase, the goal is to target these “culprit” genes to see if vision loss can be stopped.
Tom Brunner rose to summarize the next phase of the Catalyst For a Cure campaign. Tom explained the need to raise $7.5 million over three years to fund the next phase of CFC research, and reported that the GRF Board had already demonstrated their personal commitment by approving the campaign and pledging the first $2.6 million.
To great applause, Roger McGuinn took the stage. Beginning with “Turn, Turn, Turn” the legendary musician moved the audience with his songs and stories, and entertained everyone by demonstrating how The Byrds had turned folk songs into pop hits by setting them to a “Beatle beat.” Roger punctuated his performance with lively imitations of Bob Dylan and Byrds co-founder David Crosby.
Most poignant was Roger’s comment that thanks to the resources of www.glaucoma.org and his resulting eye examination, he was able to continue viewing the fret markers on his guitar—tools Roger hadn’t realized he used until his vision was challenged. He encouraged the audience to join in the singing, and between songs asked the audience to get the word out, promote glaucoma testing, and provide support to those with glaucoma.
The evening closed with a passionate appeal from Dennis Singleton: “Each and every one of us should make Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) our first priority. This is a moment in time we can’t lose.”
Article by E. Carmen Torres, Glaucoma Research Foundation Development Associate.