Vision for the Future 2020 raises more than $100,000 toward a tomorrow free of Muscular Dystrophy
Annual Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation Cause to Cook for a Cure gala fundraises record-breaking amount for local Muscular Dystrophy Research. Guests purchase 434 cookbooks to be donated to families facing a new MD diagnosis
Friends of the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation (GMJF) came together on Saturday, January 11 for the annual Cause to a Cook for a Cure gala and raised a record-breaking $103,000 for Muscular Dystrophy (MD) research at the University of Minnesota.
The event – with a theme of Vision for the Future: 2020 — was a celebration of friendship, community, the progress that has been accomplished to fund a tomorrow free of MD, and the goals ahead.
“I am thrilled by the amazing generosity and momentum for the future we witnessed at this year’s gala,” said Patty Marzolf, president of the GMJF. “We are grateful for the support of our sponsors and everyone who came out to celebrate with us.”
“Through the love, hope, and generosity of friends we have always worked hard and have always believed in a cure,” she said. “All of you have made that difference. Not only in our lives – but you have made the difference in the lives of children, young men and women, adults and families all living with MD.”
All proceeds from the event will benefit the critical research and outreach programs of the Paul and Sheila Wellstone MD Center at the University of Minnesota.
The event was held at the James B. Woulfe Alumni Center at the Anderson Student Center of the University of St. Thomas. See photos from the evening here.
A highlight of the evening was guest speaker Nick Misgen, who shared his experience of living with MD and his vision for the future through on-stage remarks and an inspiring video he recorded with his family.
Also during the program, Patty Marzolf presented this year’s recipients of the Greg Marzolf Jr. Foundation Champion Award. This award goes to individuals that have continually ‘championed’ the cause for a cure to MD with steadfast dedication and unwavering spirit for GMJF.
This year’s winners are Patrick Marzolf and Jennifer Myhre. Patty said, “These two honorees have brought enthusiasm, objectivity, originality, clear thinking, humor, creativity, disagreement, love, blood, sweat and often tears to every single event that GMJF has ever produced or was in partnership with. Their effort and devotion as volunteers when young developed into leadership roles that have made a huge difference in fundraising dollars through all these years. Their vision for new events plus their energy and tenacity to enrich the spirit and growth of the Foundation Board and Committees has been invaluable to the longevity and success of the foundation.”
Patty also recognized the recipients of the GMJF’s grants program. This year, GMJF is giving a total gift of $80,000 to dedicated researchers at the University of Minnesota. The recipients are as follows:
- Dr. Peter Karachunski, “Clinical Research Coordination for MD Center Faculty Driven Clinical Research”
- Dr. Atsushi Asakura, “Angiogenic therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy”
- Dr. DeWayne Townsend, “Exploring sex-differences in MD to develop new therapeutic approaches”
In addition, the GMJF funds the Greg Marzolf Jr. Trainee Program awarding three scholarships annually to undergraduate researchers in basic research. These awards are highlighted annually at Greg Marzolf Jr. Symposium held at the U of MN in the fall.
At the event, Jenny Myrhe also provided an exciting update on the “Come to the Table” Cookbook Project. The cookbooks, which provide family stories and healthy food recipes for anyone, including those living with MD, are available for pre-sale now and will be shipping later this year. Jenny issued a “cookbook challenge” to the crowd, in which guests purchased 434 cookbooks that will be donated to clinics throughout the U.S. These donated cookbooks will be given to families with a child who has recently been diagnosed with MD, with the aim of providing hope and community though the joy of “coming to the table” and sharing in a family meal.
Thank you to our generous sponsors for a successful evening!
Thank you to our event sponsors for their generous financial and in-kind support:
