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First Annual GRF Benefit Celebrates Research Achievements during Glaucoma Awareness Month
The Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) celebrated our first annual “Speeding the Cure. Spreading the Word” benefit on Wednesday, January 24th at The Westin St. Francis in San Francisco.
Highlights of the benefit event included presentation of the third annual Catalyst Award to Houston philanthropist F. T. “Ted” Barr by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Steven Kirsch, a presentation of new findings from the four principal investigators of the GRF-funded Catalyst For a Cure collaborative research consortium, and a reception where guests met with the scientists and enjoyed a performance by the Valley Chorale featuring GRF volunteer Art Takahara.
Senator Leland Yee, PhD presented the Glaucoma Research Foundation with a California Senate Resolution commending GRF for outstanding contributions made to the medical community through its worldwide research funding programs, and Santa Clara County Supervisor Liz Kniss presented an official Proclamation from the County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors proclaiming the month of January 2007 as National Glaucoma Awareness Month.
Approximately 260 guests attended with all proceeds benefiting GRF, the nation’s oldest foundation dedicated to speeding the discovery of a cure for glaucoma and to providing educational information. “Speeding the Cure. Spreading the Word” event co-chairs were Piedmont resident Allen Bouch, managing director of Citigroup Global Markets, and San Ramon resident Gena Harper, senior vice president of investments at SmithBarney in Berkeley. Producing Sponsors were Citigroup, and Deirdre Porter and Bradford Hall; Porter is GRF’s Board Chair and is executive vice president and portfolio manager at the San Francisco firm Wentworth, Hauser & Violich.
The four principal investigators for GRF’s Catalyst for a Cure (CFC) research consortium presented exciting new research insights with promising potential for disease intervention. Principal investigators include: David Calkins PhD, Vanderbilt University; Philip Horner PhD, University of Washington; Nicholas Marsh-Armstrong PhD, Johns Hopkins; and Monica Vetter PhD, University of Utah. The CFC scientists emphasized the ongoing collaborative teamwork between their respective laboratories, and provided an overview of new hypotheses for promoting the health and survival of retinal cells damaged by glaucoma. The scientific presentations were followed by a reception with the scientists and a dinner featuring the Catalyst Award Presentation.
GRF Board Chair Deirdre Porter said, “GRF was founded in the spirit of innovation and discovery and The Catalyst Award is our highest honor, presented for exemplary leadership in sustaining cutting-edge research.” This year’s Catalyst Award was presented to Houston geologist and GRF Board Secretary F. T. Barr for his outstanding support of glaucoma research.
Event Host Committee members included: Presenting Sponsors Alcon Inc., Allergan Inc., Blum Capital Partners and The Blum Family Foundation, and Pfizer, Inc.; Hosting Sponsors Cynthia and Frederick Brinkmann, Charles Bobrinskoy, Irene Harris, and Santen, Inc.; and Pathfinder Table Hosts June Behrendt and Sean Otto, and Lori and Allen Bouch.
“Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness in America,” said GRF President and CEO Thomas M. Brunner. “There is an epidemic of blindness looming if we can’t get in front of this silent thief of sight. Everyone—from infants to adults—is vulnerable, with diverse populations including African-Americans and Hispanic/Latinos at highest risk.”