Glaucoma Research Foundation 2010 Benefit Celebrating The Scientists

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 20 Jan 2010 - 3:00 PDT

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"Celebrating the Scientists" is the theme of this year's Glaucoma Research Foundation Annual Benefit and Celebration. The benefit takes place on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at the legendary Palace Hotel in San Francisco.

As the Glaucoma Research Foundation's annual fundraiser, the benefit focuses on recent results from GRF-funded research and the donors who make it possible. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is the Honorary California Chair and Mayor Gavin Newsom is the Honorary San Francisco Chair. The event Co-Chairs are Nobuko Saito Cleary and Gary Cleary, PharmD, PhD.

At the benefit, the Glaucoma Research Foundation's highest honor, the Catalyst Award, will be presented to Jeffrey B. Kindler, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Pfizer Inc. The award recognizes outstanding accomplishments in research and education in support of those affected by glaucoma.

"The Annual Benefit draws attention to the looming global epidemic of blindness due to glaucoma and the importance of innovative research to find a cure before it's too late," said Thomas M. Brunner, President and CEO of the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

At this year's benefit, the principal investigators in the "Catalyst for a Cure" consortium funded by the Glaucoma Research Foundation will update attendees on their latest results. Their research has led to a better understanding of glaucoma as a neurodegenerative disease and could open the door to treatments that actually treat the underlying disease rather than current treatments that lower intraocular pressure as a means of reducing disease progression.

Catalyst for a Cure principal investigators include: David Calkins PhD, Vanderbilt University; Philip Horner PhD, University of Washington; Nicholas Marsh-Armstrong PhD, Johns Hopkins University; and Monica Vetter PhD, University of Utah. Major funding for Catalyst for a Cure is provided by a grant from the Melza M. and Frank Theodore Barr Foundation through the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

"Nationally, there continues to be a marked shortage of funding for the innovative research needed to find a cure for this leading cause of blindness," said Mr. Brunner. "We simply must continue to raise the funds necessary to keep up the momentum of this productive research, as well as to provide invaluable educational resources needed to help patients and raise public awareness."

Source
Glaucoma Research Foundation

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