The Crowd: Allens open waterfront home for UCI MIND cocktail reception
A sultry summer evening on the Newport Bayfront welcomed about 70 guests converging in support of UCI MIND, an institute for research and treatment of memory impairments and neurological disorders in association with UC Irvine.
The dedicated Harriet Harris of Newport Beach in conjunction with an organization known as the Living Large Legacy hosted the cocktail reception with the generous support of Kiersten and Bruce Allen (the former president and general manager of the Washington Commanders) who opened their waterfront residence for the gathering with serious purpose.
“Kiersten and I are honored to support our dear friend Harriet Harris in this ongoing and serious campaign to find answers for people suffering from forms of memory loss and more drastic dementia,” Bruce Allen said. “This is personal for Harriet and for all involved.”
“The reception is a way to engage our community on the tsunami that is on the horizon of Alzheimer’s and dementia,” said Cherry Justice with UCI MIND.
In the crowd were many leading doctors and research scientists dedicated to the study of cognitive impairments. The Allens welcomed UCI Dean Frank LaFerla joining Josh Grill, director of UCI MIND in addressing the gathering on the terrace of the Allen property on matters concerning the latest research and development in clinical trails being conducted through UCI MIND programs.
The institute is home to one of 32 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers funded by the National Institute on Aging. It is also one of 10 California Alzheimer’s Disease centers funded by the California Department of Public Health. Medical dignitaries participating included Lindsay Hohsfield, David Sultzer and Craig Stark.
Prominent local philanthropic citizens attending were Jeff and Patti Estabrook, Jerry and MaraLou Harrington, Dick and Mary Allen (namesakes of the Hoag Allen Diabetes Center) and Craig and Margie Jennings. Also front and center for UCI MIND were advocates Pam Muzzy, Laura Anenberg, Valerie Kahaun, Jennifer Taylor and Bob and Terri Elliott.
To learn more about the research and treatment conducted through UCI MIND visit mind.uc.edu.
Hope matters
Annette Walker, president of City of Hope Orange County and her team recently joined with South Coast Plaza presenting “Hope is a Masterpiece,” an art exhibition and major reception welcoming the community to learn about the City of Hope and its recent significant expansion in Orange County.
The unveiling of the City of Hope art installation “Hope is a Masterpiece” in August was a preview to a gala concert, appropriately billed as the “Hope Gala” set to take place Sept. 10 at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts.
The performance will feature singer Nick Jonas and will be a tribute to O.C. philanthropist Julia Argyros and the Argyros Family Foundation underwriting the gala. The cause hits home for the singer. Nick Jonas’ father Kevin Jonas Sr. is a recent survivor of Stage 2 colon cancer.
Front and center supporting City of Hope at the South Coast Plaza art installation were Debra Gunn Downing, executive director of marketing for the retail giant; Elizabeth Lucas, cancer survivor; Nancy Harrell, founding director, Orange County School of the Arts; artist Paige Columbia Oden, best-selling author Leslie Bruce Amin and Cindy Brown, cancer survivor and artist. Gina and Steve Rosansky were in the crowd representing local business in the community working with significant nonprofits.
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