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"Daniel Scott Weston Glaucoma Research Lecture" Announced
Art Takahara is Founding Chair of GRF’s New Silicon Valley Chapter;
Supervisor Liz Kniss Commends Innovative Approach;
Leadership Council Members Named for First-Ever Affiliate
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – Tuesday, June 26, 2007 — The first-ever affiliated chapter of Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) was inaugurated today in Silicon Valley with former Mountain View Mayor Art Takahara as its founding chair, reports GRF President and CEO Thomas M. Brunner. The formation meeting was highlighted by the announcement of the chapter’s annual cornerstone presentation, the Daniel Scott Weston Glaucoma Research Lecture, best wishes from Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss (District Five), and the announcement of founding members of the chapter’s Leadership Council.
The Weston Lecture, established with a grant from Gladys and George Weston, DDS (Redwood City), memorializes their son Daniel Scott Weston, who died of a brain tumor at the age of 47 in 1998. “We want to foster innovative efforts to preserve and protect visions of generations while celebrating the life of a beloved son who warmed our hearts with humor, kindness and compassion,” said Dr. and Mrs. Weston, who have a personal interest in glaucoma. The Weston Lecture will be presented annually and showcase a nationally recognized scientist or clinician whose work is significantly advancing our knowledge of glaucoma, particularly in the area of new therapies and progress towards a cure. Selection of the Weston lecturer will be recommended by GRF board member Andrew Iwach MD and Brunner together.
“Santa Clara County is known for its entrepreneurial and innovative approach to improving the quality of our lives,” praised Liz Kniss, Santa Clara County Supervisor, District Five. “I am proud to see Glaucoma Research Foundation’s first chapter is emerging here in Silicon Valley, where this creative leadership can set the example for other chapters throughout the country and speed the pace of discovery for a cure for glaucoma.”
“We are so grateful to the inspiring example set by people like the Westons, Takahara, Supervisor Kniss and those establishing a community-based volunteer Leadership Council for our first-ever chapter,” said Brunner. “With this kind of personal commitment, we know GRF’s cutting edge research like Catalyst For a Cure can continue to bring us that much closer to unlocking the mysteries of this silent thief of sight.”
Founding members of the Silicon Valley Leadership Council include Art Takahara (Chair), Fred Brinkmann (Palo Alto), Dinesh Desai (Los Altos), Patty Fisher (Palo Alto), David Kline (Los Altos Hills), Astrid Thompson (Mountain View), John Vidovich (Los Altos Hills), Gladys and George Weston DDS, and Jan Zones (Atherton).
The mission of the new chapter is to provide a forum in Silicon Valley for innovative research speeding the cure for glaucoma, as well as to raise major gifts in support of research and education initiatives provided by GRF. For further information on the chapter contact Art Takahara at 408.734.9202.