Nearly 250 enthusiastic supporters turned out to show their support for Sanford-Burnham’s research efforts on Saturday, October 15, at the Institute’s gala, “Mining for a Cure.” The evening highlighted the Institute’s pioneering spirit, likening the search for treatments and cures for disease to the prospecting efforts of the adventurous California gold miners of the 1840s. We are happy and grateful to announce that the event raised more than $1.7 million for medical research.
Dr. John Reed, Sanford-Burnham’s CEO, spoke about the Institute’s 35 years of discoveries, mentioning that our accomplishments today would not be possible if not for the vision of Dr. William and Lillian Fishman, who founded the Institute in 1976. He highlighted how much progress Institute researchers have made in disease areas such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, children’s diseases, and many others. Dr. Reed reminded the audience that through their philanthropic gifts, Sanford-Burnham can accelerate the translation of laboratory discoveries into benefits for patients.
All of the guests fully embraced the event theme, sporting cowboy hats and boots, denim and suede, in combination with gold glamour and jewels. Upon arriving at the event venue, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, guests entered through a mine tunnel, past prospectors and cowboys, into the old saloon. There they enjoyed champagne filled with gold flecks, live music, and colorful entertainment.
The evening also included a live auction, a “Fund-a-Need” drive, where guests made contributions that ranged up to $400,000, and, of course, a sumptuous themed dinner. Event chairs Jeanne and Gary Herberger helped ensure that everyone felt welcome and had a wonderful time. Also in attendance, demonstrating their continued support, were the people for whom the Institute—once known as the La Jolla Cancer Research Foundation—is now named: Malin and Roberta Burnham and T. Denny Sanford.
The Institute is especially grateful to presenting sponsor Life Technologies, as well as to all of the sponsors who helped make the evening possible: Jeanne Jones and Don Breitenberg, Conrad Prebys and Debbie Turner, Joan and Brent Jacobs, Audrey Geisel, Sue Raffee Barrett, Blair Blum and Jim Sexton, Roberta and Malin Burnham, Phyllis and Dan Epstein, Rocio and Lorenzo Berho, Pauline Foster, Marleigh and Alan Gleicher, Gayle and Pete Wilson, Peter Farrell, Debby and Wain Fishburn, Ray McKewon, Caroline and Nico Nierenberg, Karen and Stuart Tanz, Gen-Probe, Alexandria Real Estate, CONNECT, and KPBS.
Visit our Facebook page in the coming days to see more photos from the gala, and follow our Events feed on Twitter to stay up-to-date about other events.