Gala Raises $500K
Global Genes-Allies in Rare Disease raised more than $500,000 at its third annual Tribute to Champions of Hope gala on Sept. 13. The event was held at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach.
More than 600 patients, advocacy leaders, biotech and pharmaceutical executives, philanthropists and celebrities attended.
The event honored individuals and companies with the RARE Champions of Hope: Industry Trailblazer award for their efforts in gene research. Recipients included Dr. Moncef Slaoui, chairman of Global Research & Development and Vaccines at GlaxoSmithKline; Carolyn Levering, president and chief executive of The Marfan Foundation; Dr. David Altshuler, steering committee chairman; and Peter Goodhand, executive director of the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health.
The net proceeds raised at the gala will benefit Global Genes’ educational programs.
Major event sponsors included Title Sponsor Walgreens, along with Alexion, Retrophin, Sciensus, Pfizer, Shire, Genzyme, BIO, Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc., BioMarin, Vidara, Novartis, Goldman Sachs, Siren Interactive, and Recordati Rare Diseases.
A Very Grand Opening
More than 200 supporters and friends of the Alzheimer’s Association, Orange County celebrated the grand opening of its new building in Irvine on Sept. 20. The facility gives it added capacity to offer more programs and services to families.
At the grand opening, Jim McAleer, chief executive of the association, presented Irvine-based researcher Dr. Mathew Blurton-Jones with a three-year grant totaling $250,000 to advance understanding of Alzheimer’s disease.
Over the past decade, the disease has grown to be the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the fourth-leading cause in Orange County, according to the association.
Key to Success
Project Access held its annual Keys to Success Gala and fundraiser, themed Serving New Destinations, on Sept. 20 at the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana. The event netted more than $221,000 to help support the nonprofit group’s 60-plus resource centers in affordable housing communities in California and several recently expanded centers in Colorado and Arizona.
Glenn Stearns, founder and chairman of Stearns Lending LLC, and his wife, Mindy, were honored at the event with this year’s Keys to Success Award.
Glenn Stearns, who has been battling a form of tongue cancer, said his illness, now in remission, has reinforced his commitment to philanthropy.
“Cancer has become the most unusual gift to me,” Glenn Stearns said. “It has opened my eyes to feel and live with more compassion and understanding for others. I intend to use this clarity to continue to help others who are less fortunate.”
The event’s platinum-level sponsor was Affordable Housing Access, with KDF Communities LLC and an anonymous donor at the premier level. Related California and Stearns Lending sponsored at the gold level. Silver-level sponsors included Banc of California, Bridge Investment Group Partners, Carlson & Rauth, Vitus and U.S. Residential Group. Other sponsors included Highland Property Development LLC.
Celebrating 20 years and $2M
United Cerebral Palsy of Orange County raised a record $174,000 at its 20th Life Without Limits Autumn Golf Classic on Oct. 20 at the Santa Ana Country Club. The 20 years of the tournament have generated more than
$2 million to provide direct and support services to children with a wide range of disabilities and their families.
Chaired by community leaders Dana Dowers, president and chief executive of DLD Insurance Brokers Inc.; Douglas Ingram, president of Allergan Inc.; and Dennis Kuhl, chairman of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the tournament featured 116 golfers, along with several children and their families served by the organization.
Dowers founded the golf tournament in 1994 and he has continued his sponsorship into the tournament’s 20th year. Ingram and Kuhl joined him this year as co-chairs.
Bits & Pieces
MaxLite, a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient LED lighting, donated $14,000 worth of energy-efficient lighting products to Habitat for Humanity of Orange County. … Paula Golden, executive director of Broadcom Foundation, was named president of the foundation in September. … Don Stephens, founder of Mercy Ships, was awarded a national Daily Point of Light Award for organizing a program for doctors to perform thousands of free surgeries in the world’s poorest countries.
