ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Progress
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An Evening to Conquer ALS at “A Night at the Essey's” Gala Celebration!
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June 5, 2014 – Los Angeles
It was a truly wonderful evening dedicated to conquering ALS as The ALS Association Golden West Chapter hosted it's “A Night at the Essey's” Gala Celebration. This premiere event was filled with live big-band music by the Fil Lorenz Orchestra and gourmet dinner at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. Chapter supporters from all over the country turned out in their finest to raise funds and celebrate. The Essey Awards are the Golden West Chapter’s highest honor, named for one of the founding board members, Richard “Dick” Essey, which are presented annually to esteemed members of the community for outstanding efforts in the areas of ALS research, philanthropy and public awareness. The dedicated Gala committee comprised of Marjie Block, David Bronow, Marianne Maddalena, Mandy Safenowitz and led by Lynn Safenowitz and Mitzi Villeneuve, as Co-Chairs left no detail unfulfilled. From the beautiful flowers to the unique "swag-bags", the committee set the stage for a wonderful evening for guests and were also able to gather hundreds of one-of-a-kind items for the event's silent and live auctions. Representatives from the Beauty Bus were on hand to provide complementary hair and makeup to several people with ALS and their caregivers, who were in attendance. Set in the historic Blossom Room, home to the first Academy Awards in 1929, the theme of the evening was inspired by the glamour of the Golden Age of Hollywood. As a special surprise, event announcer Steve Haworth, shared that there were three people in the audience celebrating special occasions, to which the audience responded in song and with applause. Later in the program, Haworth and long-time ALS advocate, Kate Linder, from CBS' Young and the Restless, would lead the audience through a rousing live auction. Ms. Linder is one of only four daytime drama actors to have received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has served as The ALS Association's Celebrity spokesperson for the past 9 years, working tirelessly as an ALS advocate because of her own family experience with the disease. "We are here to share the many exciting accomplishments from this past year, recognize the outstanding achievements of this year's Essey Award recipients, and join friends and supporters who share that common dream of creating a world without ALS," said Debbie, who lost her father to ALS in 2012. "So it's quite appropriate that this year we're celebrating in Hollywood, California -Tinsel Town - a place where for over the past one hundred years, dreams have become reality. Tonight we're going to add our history to this illustrious ballroom." The audience was treated to special remarks from Fred Fisher, Golden West Chapter's President and CEO, and from Mr. Richard “Dick” Essey himself. In addition, they were presented with a special film montage illustrating the history of science as portrayed in the movies and with poignant scenes from the iconic film "The Pride of the Yankees", to kick off the first Essey Award of the evening. The inaugural Legacy Award was given to the late Gary Cooper for his unforgettable, Oscar-nominated portrayal of the “Iron Horse”, Lou Gehrig, in the Academy-award winning film, "The Pride of the Yankees". This will be the first time that Cooper has been recognized for his contribution in raising ALS awareness through the power of his indelible role, which defined the public’s understanding of this disease around the world. |
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It was then time for the Commitment to a Cure Award presented to three scientists – C. Frank Bennett, PhD, Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Don W. Cleveland, PhD, Ludwig Cancer Institute, University of California, San Diego (UCSD); and Richard Smith, MD, Center for Neurologic Study – who have relentlessly pursued research which may lead to a treatment for people with ALS and related diseases. "It is a great honor to be a part of this wonderful evening recognizing the incredible research contributions of these scientists," said Lucie Bruijn, PhD, MBA, Chief Scientist for The ALS Association. "Their commitment, dedication and vision have brought us very close to a possible treatment for people with ALS and related diseases. The team has collaborated over the last decade on an innovative idea, which was an elegantly simple approach to dealing with a very complicated problem. The therapy, called antisense oligonucleotide therapy (ASO), aims to block the expression of mutant genes which have been found to cause the inherited forms of ALS. If this therapeutic approach slows or stops the progression of ALS, this will be a medical milestone." "Together, they serve as advocates and a strong voice for change in the world of ALS research and care," said Philip P. Thomas, Board Chair, Golden West Chapter. "Their work reflects our Chapter's high standards for quality, commitment and impactful outcomes." |
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The Spotlight Award was presented to the creators of the award-winning documentary, Jujitsu-ing Reality- Scott and Annabel Lew and Mark Amin, founder of Sobini Films- which chronicles the inspirational story of screenwriter and shows that the human spirit, creative passion, and the power of love cannot be defeated by ALS. The award was presented to the honorees by Robert Ben Garant, Writer-Actor-Director. "I'm here because I'm friends with Scott and Ann," said Robert. "I've known them 16 years. Scott was the executive of my first movie I ever sold in Hollywood. I owe my career to him. If I wasn't for him I wouldn't be on this stage." "I have always been a fan of inspirational human stories and stories that deal with the resiliency of human spirit," said Mark Amin, Sobini Films. "Knowing Scott has been the most inspirational experience for me. Someone who has been handed such a fate, who decided to go on with his life, to have children, and continue writing which is his passion. I am humbled to have had this amazing opportunity to know Scott and Ann, and through them learn the adversity and resilience that many must face with ALS." "We all know that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us," said Fred Fisher, Golden West Chapter's President and CEO. "Those who are living with ALS today, and those who will be diagnosed tomorrow, benefit from the resources, support and research discovery that you have created for them" "We've come to the point where hope is no longer intangible," he continued. "We have the real opportunity, to make a real difference and to continue to make real progress – if we are willing to continue to make the investment. For now, that burden falls to us- the people who know the devastation of ALS. With our investment, we will "Never Give Up". We will continue to change the world for people, for families, living with ALS." |
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You can view more photos from the event on our flickr page, as well as videos on our You Tube Channel. The full-length version of Jujitsu-ing Reality is available for online viewing at www.sobinifilms.com
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An Evening to Conquer ALS at “A Night at the Essey's” Gala Celebration!
|
||||||||
|
June 5, 2014 – Los Angeles
It was a truly wonderful evening dedicated to conquering ALS as The ALS Association Golden West Chapter hosted it's “A Night at the Essey's” Gala Celebration. This premiere event was filled with live big-band music by the Fil Lorenz Orchestra and gourmet dinner at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. Chapter supporters from all over the country turned out in their finest to raise funds and celebrate. The Essey Awards are the Golden West Chapter’s highest honor, named for one of the founding board members, Richard “Dick” Essey, which are presented annually to esteemed members of the community for outstanding efforts in the areas of ALS research, philanthropy and public awareness. The dedicated Gala committee comprised of Marjie Block, David Bronow, Marianne Maddalena, Mandy Safenowitz and led by Lynn Safenowitz and Mitzi Villeneuve, as Co-Chairs left no detail unfulfilled. From the beautiful flowers to the unique "swag-bags", the committee set the stage for a wonderful evening for guests and were also able to gather hundreds of one-of-a-kind items for the event's silent and live auctions. Representatives from the Beauty Bus were on hand to provide complementary hair and makeup to several people with ALS and their caregivers, who were in attendance. Set in the historic Blossom Room, home to the first Academy Awards in 1929, the theme of the evening was inspired by the glamour of the Golden Age of Hollywood. As a special surprise, event announcer Steve Haworth, shared that there were three people in the audience celebrating special occasions, to which the audience responded in song and with applause. Later in the program, Haworth and long-time ALS advocate, Kate Linder, from CBS' Young and the Restless, would lead the audience through a rousing live auction. Ms. Linder is one of only four daytime drama actors to have received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and has served as The ALS Association's Celebrity spokesperson for the past 9 years, working tirelessly as an ALS advocate because of her own family experience with the disease. "We are here to share the many exciting accomplishments from this past year, recognize the outstanding achievements of this year's Essey Award recipients, and join friends and supporters who share that common dream of creating a world without ALS," said Debbie, who lost her father to ALS in 2012. "So it's quite appropriate that this year we're celebrating in Hollywood, California -Tinsel Town - a place where for over the past one hundred years, dreams have become reality. Tonight we're going to add our history to this illustrious ballroom." The audience was treated to special remarks from Fred Fisher, Golden West Chapter's President and CEO, and from Mr. Richard “Dick” Essey himself. In addition, they were presented with a special film montage illustrating the history of science as portrayed in the movies and with poignant scenes from the iconic film "The Pride of the Yankees", to kick off the first Essey Award of the evening. The inaugural Legacy Award was given to the late Gary Cooper for his unforgettable, Oscar-nominated portrayal of the “Iron Horse”, Lou Gehrig, in the Academy-award winning film, "The Pride of the Yankees". This will be the first time that Cooper has been recognized for his contribution in raising ALS awareness through the power of his indelible role, which defined the public’s understanding of this disease around the world. |
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It was then time for the Commitment to a Cure Award presented to three scientists – C. Frank Bennett, PhD, Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.; Don W. Cleveland, PhD, Ludwig Cancer Institute, University of California, San Diego (UCSD); and Richard Smith, MD, Center for Neurologic Study – who have relentlessly pursued research which may lead to a treatment for people with ALS and related diseases. "It is a great honor to be a part of this wonderful evening recognizing the incredible research contributions of these scientists," said Lucie Bruijn, PhD, MBA, Chief Scientist for The ALS Association. "Their commitment, dedication and vision have brought us very close to a possible treatment for people with ALS and related diseases. The team has collaborated over the last decade on an innovative idea, which was an elegantly simple approach to dealing with a very complicated problem. The therapy, called antisense oligonucleotide therapy (ASO), aims to block the expression of mutant genes which have been found to cause the inherited forms of ALS. If this therapeutic approach slows or stops the progression of ALS, this will be a medical milestone." "Together, they serve as advocates and a strong voice for change in the world of ALS research and care," said Philip P. Thomas, Board Chair, Golden West Chapter. "Their work reflects our Chapter's high standards for quality, commitment and impactful outcomes." |
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The Spotlight Award was presented to the creators of the award-winning documentary, Jujitsu-ing Reality- Scott and Annabel Lew and Mark Amin, founder of Sobini Films- which chronicles the inspirational story of screenwriter and shows that the human spirit, creative passion, and the power of love cannot be defeated by ALS. The award was presented to the honorees by Robert Ben Garant, Writer-Actor-Director. "I'm here because I'm friends with Scott and Ann," said Robert. "I've known them 16 years. Scott was the executive of my first movie I ever sold in Hollywood. I owe my career to him. If I wasn't for him I wouldn't be on this stage." "I have always been a fan of inspirational human stories and stories that deal with the resiliency of human spirit," said Mark Amin, Sobini Films. "Knowing Scott has been the most inspirational experience for me. Someone who has been handed such a fate, who decided to go on with his life, to have children, and continue writing which is his passion. I am humbled to have had this amazing opportunity to know Scott and Ann, and through them learn the adversity and resilience that many must face with ALS." "We all know that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us," said Fred Fisher, Golden West Chapter's President and CEO. "Those who are living with ALS today, and those who will be diagnosed tomorrow, benefit from the resources, support and research discovery that you have created for them" "We've come to the point where hope is no longer intangible," he continued. "We have the real opportunity, to make a real difference and to continue to make real progress – if we are willing to continue to make the investment. For now, that burden falls to us- the people who know the devastation of ALS. With our investment, we will "Never Give Up". We will continue to change the world for people, for families, living with ALS." |
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|
You can view more photos from the event on our flickr page, as well as videos on our You Tube Channel. The full-length version of Jujitsu-ing Reality is available for online viewing at www.sobinifilms.com
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