DECEMBER 5, 2020

BALBOA BAY RESORT

Thank you to friends and benefactors who made the 10th Annual UCI MIND Gala, A December to Remember, presented by the Brethren Community Foundation, on December 7, 2019, an overwhelming success. The gala raised a record NET total of $473,240 for Alzheimer’s research. It was held at the Balboa Bay Resort in Newport Beach and attracted 375 guests.

“More than 80,000 Orange County residents are afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, making the work of UCI MIND as important locally as it is nationally,” says Dr. Joshua Grill, Director of UCI MIND. “We are grateful that the work of UCI MIND and this signature fundraising event are increasingly recognized and supported by the local Orange County community.  This support is vital to the cutting-edge research performed at UCI MIND in the race to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.”

Alzheimer’s is the third leading cause of death in Orange County. Current predictions suggest that more than 16 million Americans will suffer from the disease by 2050. Scientists at UCI MIND are working from a cross-disciplinary perspective to find a prevention or cure for Alzheimer’s.

This year’s UCI MIND Award honoree was Harriet Harris, President of Harris Taylor Management, Inc. “Harriet has had a truly transformative impact on UCI MIND,” says Grill. “Because of her dedication and commitment to funding this important research, this year’s event was not only the best-attended gala, resulting in a sold-out venue, it also raised the most funding for UCI MIND’s research.”

UCI MIND also honored Betty’s Foundation for the Elimination of Alzheimer’s Disease (Betty’s Foundation) with the Community Leadership Award. Betty’s Foundation is a family-operated nonprofit established by the Woesner family to honor their grandmother Betty, who passed away after a 16-year battle with Alzheimer’s. “By raising funds for progressive Alzheimer’s research, Betty’s Foundation has provided invaluable support to UCI MIND investigators,” says Grill. “But equally importantly, they have brought awareness to younger generations through their innovative outreach and philanthropic events, such as their annual Remember the Music Festivals.”

The evening culminated with a live performance by singer-songwriter Ashley Campbell, whose late father, musician Glenn Campbell, suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. “We were honored that Ashley chose to share her evening with us,” says Grill. “Her personal story, commitment to raising funds for Alzheimer’s research, and incredible talent were a moving highlight for our guests.”

To date, UCI MIND’s Annual A December to Remember Gala has raised more than $2 million to fund Alzheimer’s research.