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Gala Raises $125,000 for Alzheimer’s Research
speaker Phyllis George shared personal story
[Tampa, FL] – The Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Alzheimer’s Center & Research Institute inaugural Roses in Winter gala raised $125,000 for scientific research. With the theme “Celebrating Memories & Hope,” the event hosted 225 guests at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center Thursday. It is expected to become the Byrd Institute’s signature annual fundraiser.
The event name was born in a quote by Sir James Barrie, author of Peter Pan. Sir Barrie once said: “Memories are the mind’s way of gathering roses in winter.”
Phyllis George, former Miss America 1971 and recent recipient of the prestigious Rita Hayworth Alzheimer’s Award, served as the evening’s guest speaker. Ms. George shared uplifting stories and lessons gleaned from her remarkable life – family memories once celebrated with her mother who was lost to Alzheimer's disease.
“We are so pleased Phyllis George was able to join us and share her personal experience of having a loved one with Alzheimer’s,” said Honorary Chairwoman Lorena Jaeb. “Losing someone you love to this disease is a heart-wrenching event, but her story is an inspiration to caregivers facing the same challenge as well as the many researchers and health care professionals dedicated to curing and treating Alzheimer’s.”
The gala’s theme—Celebrating Memories & Hope—also illustrated the ultimate goal of the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute: prevention and a cure. Dr. Huntington Potter, CEO and scientific director of the institute, sees this first Roses in Winter dinner as a first significant step of many on the path to a cure.
“Science is cumulative; each step builds on the work immediately before it,” said Dr. Potter. “And every dollar contributed to research today moves us another step closer to finding answers tomorrow.”
Proceeds from the gala will support the institute’s many research and outreach programs, hosted locally in its new facility—the world’s largest freestanding research center dedicated to Alzheimer’s research. One notable example of its forward-leaning work includes bringing 14 new drugs to the Tampa Bay region by working with pharmaceutical companies—drugs that are not otherwise available.
ABOUT THE INSITITUTE
The mission of the Johnnie B. Byrd, Sr. Byrd Alzheimer's Center & Research Institute is to collaborate with researchers throughout the State of Florida and the wider global research community to develop treatment to cure and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The Institute offers a physical location—the world’s largest freestanding research center dedicated to Alzheimer’s research—that conducts state-of-the-art research, in addition to serving as the site for coordinating and facilitating Florida’s various efforts to diagnose, treat and prevent the disease. More information is available at www.ByrdInstitute.org.
ABOUT PHYLLIS GEORGE
With a career spanning three decades and transitioning seamlessly between the fields of sports, entertainment, entrepreneurship and politics, Phyllis George has lived a lifetime of risk taking, pioneering, and success. And it all began in 1971 when she was crowned the 50th Miss America.
Phyllis was the first pioneer female sportscaster in America co-anchoring the popular Emmy Award winning "NFL Today Show" on CBS from 1975-1985. She co-hosted three Super Bowl broadcasts and six Rose Bowl Parades and was the first co-host of "Candid Camera" with Alan Funt.
In 1985 Phyllis became the co-anchor of the "CBS Morning News." She created and hosted two prime-time shows on TNN: "The Phyllis George Special" and "Spotlight With Phyllis George." She also hosted her own show "Woman's Day TV with Phyllis George," featuring in-studio celebrity interviews and discussing a cross-section of women's issues. She has appeared on The Today Show, Larry King Live, The View, FOX NFL, CNN American Morning, Entertainment Tonight, Extra and the 700 Club among others.
Phyllis had her first acting role as Linda Banks of the box office hit "Meet the Parents" - a comedy starring Robert DeNiro and Ben Stiller. It was #1 at the box office for five weeks in a row and was one of the most successful films of 2000.
American Women in Radio & TV named Phyllis one of the "50 Greatest Women in Radio & Television" and she was also featured in their book Making Waves: The 50 Greatest Women in Radio & TV. In December 2005, Phyllis was an honoree at the Museum of Television & Radio's unveiling of the "She Made It" initiative to salute the women who have made significant contributions to the media.
Roses in Winter Gala Sponsors
Presenting Sponsor
Lorena Jaeb and family
Prevention Sponsors
de la Parte & Gilbert, P.A.
The Tampa Tribune
Memory Sponsors
Dominic and Margaret Conklin Family & Friends
Elements / Storr
Ketel One Vodka
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
John & Lilly Pehling
Dr. Huntington Potter
Premier Beverage Company
Ron Sachs Communications
Tampa Electric Company
Turner Construction Company
Hope Sponsors
Advantec
The Beck Group
Cultural Affairs Magazine
First Colony Coffee
Wachovia Bank, N.A.
M.E. Wilson Co., Inc.
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