Glaucoma Research Foundation

Our Donors

2010 Annual Benefit Most Successful Yet

A record attendance of 375 guests arrived on January 27th at the historic Palace Hotel in San Francisco to “Celebrate the Scientists” whose research holds promise for a cure for glaucoma.

Total proceeds from the gala exceeded $475,000 with a record level of Table Sponsorships, Ticket Sales and Contributions. Event Co-Chairs Nobuko Saito Cleary and Gary Cleary, PharmD, PhD, worked tirelessly to advance the important work of Glaucoma Research Foundation, as did the effective members of their Event Committee.

Ambassadors Circle Co-Hosts Mona and Ed Zander welcomed sponsors and their guests to a lovely reception in the hotel’s French Parlor. Ed’s sister Risa from New York joined them, emphasizing the Zander family’s personal connection to glaucoma and commitment to cure the disease.

Research Overview Co-Hosts Deirdre Porter and Bradford Hall greeted guests at the annual research update. Catalyst For a Cure Principal Investigators 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) reported on their progress over the last year. UBS sponsored this year’s Research Overview through the efforts of GRF Board member H. Allen Bouch.

The Shaffer Prize for Innovative Glaucoma Research was presented to Kate E. Keller, PhD, of Casey Eye Institute in Portland, OR, recognizing Dr. Keller’s investigation of genetic techniques to increase fluid outflow to lower pressure in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Outstanding volunteer Andi Mallinckrodt received the President’s Award from Thomas M. Brunner for leadership as well as her creative and beautiful decorative contributions to GRF events, including every Benefit.

This year’s Catalyst Award recipient was Jeffrey B. Kindler, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Pfizer, whose generous sponsorship led increased support for the Benefit from the corporate ophthalmic community. Accepting on behalf of Mr. Kindler was Dr. Michael Berelowitz, Senior Vice President of Clinical Development & Medical Affairs in Pfizer’s Specialty Care Business Unit. A number of dignitaries paid tribute to GRF’s leadership. Honorary California Chair Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger welcomed guests by video. And Consul General of Japan Yasumasa Nagamine, honored guest of our Event Co-Chairs, made gracious personal remarks at the dinner.

A highlight of the event was a musical salute and tribute by Roger McGuinn, co-founder of The Byrds and National Honorary Chairman of the Catalyst For a Cure Campaign. His performance of four classic songs brought the crowd to its feet.

Once again Board members June Behrendt and Linda Linck co-chaired the Silent Auction during the President’s Reception, which built enthusiasm among many active bidders. Please save the date for next year – Wednesday, January 26, 2011!

In Appreciation

Our deepest appreciation for the generosity of our donors at the $1,000 level and above, including members of THE CATALYST CIRCLE, THE BLANCHE MATTHIAS SOCIETY, and institutional donors. (Contributions of record from November 16, 2009 to March 5, 2010)

BENEFACTORS ($100,000 to $199,000)

The Alcon Foundation, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. F.T. Barr
Edward Joseph Daly Foundation

FOUNDERS ($50,000 to $99,000)

Steven L. Merrill

PACESETTERS ($25,000 to $49,999)

Carol Young Brooke Foundation
Jill and Michael Chmura
Richard Hirayama
Neighbor to Nation
Pfizer Inc.
Mona and Ed Zander

PATRONS ($10,000 to $24,999)

Jeannette and Weston Anderson
The Clarence B. and Joan F. Coleman Charitable Foundation
Joy and Dinesh Desai
Frank and Joseph Gila Fund
Estate of Margaret Russell Isler
Iris and Lawrence Lerner
Lawrence S. Lipkind, DDS
Mellam Family Foundation
Merck
Ron Payne
Virginia M. Shaffer
Emmett and Ann Skinner, Jr.
Matthew Tate, PhD
UBS Investment Bank

SPONSORS ($5,000 to $9,999)

Angela Nomellini and Ken Olivier
Janet and Cary Rayment
Brian Walsh

PRESIDENT’S CLUB ($1,000 to $4,999)

Ballard Technology, Inc.
Karla and George Barber
Walter R. Barry, Jr.
Suzanne and Thomas Beach
James and Virgene Beam
Paul Berg
Joan and Burt Berry
Allen and Lori Bouch
Skip Bowen
Barbara Bowman and James Holtz
Thomas M. and Wallace Brunner
Stephen Clarke
Boris Darling Productions
Kelvin Davis
Eugene de Juan, Jr., MD
Victoria and Donald F. DeMuth
Dodge & Cox
Germaine and Timothy Dwyer, Wendy Dwyer Memorial
Michael and Tracey Elfstrom
Elsewhere Advertising
Peter Falzon
Danielle, Maureen and Dan Fiarito
Susanne Gerson
Glaucoma Institute of Austin
Enid and Martin Gleich
Mr. and Mrs. Earl C. Gossett
The Larry and Carie Haimovitch Charitable Fund
Sharlene and Alfred Hall, PharmD
Gena Harper
Susan and John Hetherington, MD
Beverly and Andrew Honzel
Ann and H. Dunbar Hoskins, Jr., MD
Liga and Soren Hoy
Jo Ann and George Jenkins
Roberta R.W. Kameda
Ed Krall
Andrew J. Kujawa
Patricia and Charles Lee
Alvin T. Levitt
Helyne and Lucas Loukides
Martha and Roland Mace
Xenia E. Marcellus Trust
Inge and Harold Marcus
Janet Martin
Duncan and Shirley Matteson
Roy G. Michell Charitable Foundation and Trust
Rebecca and James Morgan
Pearl and Seymour Moskowitz
Judith and Charles Munnerlyn, PhD
Rudi Naumann-Etienne
NeoMedix Corporation
Marjorie A. Nevitt
Vincent E. O’Brien
Hiro and Betty Jean Ogawa
Sanders M. Orr
Daniel Pappas
Regina Phelps
Charles J. Philipps
Mary Helen Pidgeon
Bryan Rewers
Carol and George Rogers
The Ross Family Trust
David J. Roux
John Russell
Lawrence Schacht Foundation, Inc.
F. Tracy Schilling
Elizabeth R. Shafer
Laine and Carl Smith
Robert Stamper, MD
Catherine and Richard Tate
Patricia and George Thomas
The Marian and Julius Tills Endowment Fund
Ann and Thomas Todaro
Angela Tyler
Versant Ventures
Judy Webb
Brian Webber
Janet Wong
Ratna K. Yadla, MD
Matthew P. Young
Howard Zack
Zaffaroni Foundation
Aaron Zalonis
Michael Zukerman

Gifts-In-Kind

Bear Flag Wines, Patricia Crosby Collection, Mary Frances Accessories, Adrienne Graves, PhD, Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, Linda and Donald Linck, DDS, J. Lohr Vineyards and Wines, Camilla and Roger McGuinn, Valerie Ostenak Studios, Personality Hotel Group, Quady Winery, Misako and Dana Sack, Tenuta Wineries, United Airlines

This article appeared in the May 2010 issue of Gleams. Subscribe