News
Alpha-1 Foundation presents honors, inspirational speakers at Donor Recognition Dinner
The Alpha-1 Foundation honored the generosity of its donors at a reception and dinner Friday that featured a moving talk from an Alpha about her personal story, and a scientist who came from halfway around the world to tell about his research on the alpha-1 protein.
The event also honored, for the first time in the Foundation’s history, two million-dollar donations to Alpha-1 research.
Ruth and Gordon Cadwgan Jr., PhD, had made a surprise announcement in June this year at the National Education conference in Orlando, unveiling their donation of one million dollars from themselves and Gordon Cadwgan, Sr., who is 96 and “wanted to make a difference while he was still here,” said Foundation President & CEO John Walsh.
“The Cadwgans’ amazing generosity comes at a time when the Foundation is re-doubling our research efforts to help find new therapies and ultimately a cure for Alpha-1. And through their dedication, commitment and generosity, they will be a part of Alpha-1 history forever,” Walsh said.
The Talecris Center for Science and Education was presented with a Special Recognition Award “for their continued commitment to research through their Million Dollar Match challenge grant. This award recognizes the impact that Talecris has made to the Alpha-1 community over the years,” said Walsh.
Speaker Karen Erickson of California told about the challenges and fears of living with Alpha-1 lung disease.
Karen Erickson
Erickson, who has continued to run awareness and fundraising events despite being on a lung transplant list, said, “I have never felt more confident that our mission to find a cure for this disease is within reach.”
Stephen Bottomley, PhD, Senior Research Fellow at the National Health & Medical Research Council of Australia and a professor of medicine at that country’s Monash University, talked about his team’s research on the misfolded protein that results from the genetic “glitch” in Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.
Bottomley is one of several investigators from around the world who are studying small molecules that might prevent the misfolding, and ultimately treat both the lung and liver disease of Alpha-1.
Stephen Bottomley, PhD
Bottomley was among the recipients of Alpha-1 Foundation research grants who attended the first of a planned series of investigators’ meetings on Thursday sponsored by the Foundation.
Ab Rees, chair, board of directors, joined Walsh in presenting the awards. Adam Wanner, MD, Foundation scientific director, introduced Bottomley.
The Alhambra Orchestra provided string quartet music for the reception.
Ab Rees and John Walsh present the Founder’s Circle Award to David Gelmont, MD, senior medical director at Baxter BioScience, who received the award for Baxter Healthcare.
The following received awards during the evening:
Founder’s Circle: Baxter Healthcare Corporation, Ruth & Gordon E. Cadwgan, Jr. Ph.D.,
Benefactor’s Circle: Centric Health Resources, Inc.
Leadership Circle: Calder Race Course, Kamada, Ltd.
President’s Circle: Diane & John W. Walsh
Patron’s Circle: ASD Healthcare, Baptist Health South Florida, Carlos Centurion, Cindy & Wayne E. “Chip” Withers, Jr., Cindy & Joseph “Joe” Zuraw
Michelle Hefley, chief operating officer of Centric Health Resources, receives the Benefactor’s Circle Award for the company.
Associate’s Circle: Alpha-1 Association, JoAnne & Edward “Ed” Brailey, Compuquip Technologies, Inc., Bettina & Kenneth A. Irvine, K&L Gates, LLP, Miriam O’Day, Judith & Kenneth Simon
Friend’s Circle: Karen Erickson, Michelle Hefley, Marian Macias, Dorothea & Robert A. Sandhaus, MD, PhD, FCCP, Marion & Andrew Steele, Terry & James K. Stoller, MD, MSODA
Special Recognition: Robert A. Sandhaus, MD, PhD, FCCP, Talecris Center for Science and Education, Bruce C. Trapnell, MD
