Irvine-based Cystinosis Research Foundation brought in $1.75 million with its 10th annual Natalie’s Wish fundraiser.
Cystinosis is a metabolic disease that causes a build-up in the body of the amino acid cystine, which slowly destroys the body’s organs, including the liver, kidneys, eyes, muscles, thyroid and brain. The genetic disorder is rare, afflicting about 2,000 people worldwide, mostly children.
About 400 people attended a fundraising dinner, which was held at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach and capped a two-day conference attended by cystinosis patients and their families. The conference provided the latest news on treatments and a possible cure.
Nancy Stack, cofounder and trustee of the Cystinosis Research Foundation, announced developments in stem cell treatment and the possibility of reversing corneal cystinosis, a painful eye condition associated with the disease.
Dr. Stephanie Cherqui at the Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla and Dr. Jennifer Simpson at University of California, Irvine, are conducting cystinosis research, thanks in part to $3.4 million in grants from the National Institutes of Health.
The annual fundraiser is named for Natalie Stack, 21, who was diagnosed with cystinosis as an infant. She is a daughter of Geoffrey and Nancy Stack, who founded the cystinosis organization in 2003.
Geoffrey Stack is managing director of Irvine-based Sares-Regis Group, a residential real estate developer.
United Way
Irvine-based Orange County United Way raised more than $500,000 in May through two events, the 13th Annual Real Estate & Building Industry Mixer and the Ninth Annual Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast.
The Real Estate & Building Industry Mixer was held at The Balboa Bay Club & Resort in Newport Beach, raising $270,000. About 350 attended. The Women’s Philanthropy Fund Breakfast at the Hyatt Regency Irvine raised $280,000, while almost 650 in attendance heard Naomi Tutu, daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu, deliver the keynote address.
Golf Tourney
The 35th Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County Golf Tournament at Pelican Hill raised $125,000 for the organization’s mentoring programs for local at-risk youth.
About 150 golfers participated. Giveaways included Travis Mathew golf shoes, Hoven sunglasses and a car from Crevier BMW in Santa Ana.
Title sponsors included Villa Nova Restaurant in Newport Beach, The Compass Group’s Irvine office, Santa Ana-based First American Financial Corp. and the Albert J. Crosson Family.
Enchanted Evening
Mission Viejo-based Vocational Visions raised $100,000 at its Enchanted Evening fundraiser, which honored its employer of the year, Safeway Inc.’s Pavilions grocery stores.
Vocational Visions provides jobs, life-skills training and support services to adults with developmental and other disabilities. It serves about 500 people annually. Pavilions employs Vocational Visions clients at seven of its OC stores.
About 380 guests attended the Irvine Marriott Hotel event. Linda Baird and Donna Haskill chaired.
Shopping Fundraiser
The sixth annual Boutique Benefit raised $22,000 for four charities, including three Laguna Beach nonprofits.
The one-day shopping event was held at Laguna Presbyterian Church, where shoppers could buy designer clothing, shoes, handbags, jewelry and accessories donated by Laguna Beach residents and shops.
Evonne Kane, an acupuncturist and holistic healer in Monarch Beach, founded and organizes the shopping fundraiser.
Charities to benefit include New York-based Women for Women International, Laguna Resource Center and Impact Giving of Laguna Beach. Volunteers from the Assistance League of Laguna Beach delivered unsold items to the Turnabout Thrift Shop in Laguna Beach.
Rescue Mission
Tustin-based Orange County Rescue Mission’s transitional-living facility, the Village of Hope, graduated 23 students from its 12-month program.
The Village of Hope, a 192-bed transitional housing program for homeless men, women and families, provides services such as counseling, job training and medical and dental care.
“For many of our residents, the Village of Hope program stops a lifelong cycle of homelessness and abuse,” said Jim Palmer, president of the Orange County Rescue Mission. “We focus on teaching our students the skills needed to lead self-sufficient lives.”
The graduation ceremony included a formal dinner, a presentation and student speeches.
