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Ed Zander raises $45,000 for Glaucoma Research
SAN FRANCISCO – February 6, 2009 – Spurred on and frustrated by the paucity of funding for Shaffer Grants for Innovative Glaucoma Research, Ed Zander spontaneously raised $20,000 at the Glaucoma Research Foundation Benefit Dinner at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco last week, matching a $20,000 grant from an anonymous donor. The resulting $45,350 raised will fund a scientist for a year to study a previously untested idea, further expanding our knowledge of glaucoma, a blinding eye disease.
During dinner January 28th at the Glaucoma Research Foundation 31st Anniversary Benefit, Zander rose to the podium, saying “I’m not on the program this evening, but I’ve been listening to the incredible progress being made by the scientists who reported their annual research results earlier this evening. And I also heard Thomas Brunner, GRF’s President and CEO, announce that due to a shortage of funds, the Shaffer Grants need to be postponed this year. Well, it’s just come to my attention that GRF has received a $20,000 anonymous donation. That’s half what’s needed to fund a Shaffer Grant for this year.” Zander then generously offered to donate $5,000 himself if there were fifteen others in the room who would donate $1,000 each.
Within minutes, Zander’s enthusiastic appeal to the group of 350 guests generated the additional $15,000 needed to fund a scientist for one year, as hand after hand raised to meet the challenge. “This is one more example of how we can really make a difference in the urgent challenge of finding a cure for glaucoma,” Zander said. “Now let’s see if by the end of the night we can raise enough to fund another Shaffer Grant!”
Earlier in the evening, Ed’s wife Mona Zander opened the Dinner with a welcome, and introduced the Benefit’s Honorary National Chair President George H.W. Bush, who spoke via video. In his opening comments, the former US president said, “As someone with glaucoma, the Foundation’s mission to speed the cure and spread the word about this silent thief of sight is near to my heart.” Ed and Mona Zander chaired the Host Committee for the Glaucoma Research Foundation Benefit.
About the Glaucoma Research Foundation
Located in San Francisco, the Glaucoma Research Foundation is the nation’s most experienced foundation dedicated solely to glaucoma research and education. In addition to funding innovative research like the Catalyst For a Cure research consortium and its Shaffer Grants for Innovative Glaucoma Research, GRF also is the “go to” agency for education materials, including the definitive reference for newly diagnosed, Understanding and Living with Glaucoma. Glaucoma Research Foundation website: www.glaucoma.org Phone: 415.986.3162 Toll-free: 800.826.6693