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Press ReleaseCenter for Keratoconus Founder Robert Gavin to Be Honored at Eye Birth Defects Research FoundationGala Event Will Feature BB King, Pay Tribute to Ray CharlesLOS ANGELES, March 16, 2005 -- Robert Gavin, founder of the Center for Keratoconus (http://www.kcenter.org), will be honored at the Eye Birth Defects Research Foundation's first-ever gala dinner on May 12, 2005 at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Blues legend BB King is headlining the event, which will also pay tribute to the late Ray Charles, who sat on the board of the Eye Birth Defects Research Foundation for ten years.Hosted by Yaron S. Rabinowitz, M.D., medical director and founder of the Eye Birth Defects Research Foundation Inc. and director of ophthalmology research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the black tie-optional dinner, "A Celebration of Sight," will benefit surgical and genetic eye research. Other honorees include: Alfred E. Mann, chairman and CEO of Advanced Bionics and MannKind Corporation; Gary Rayment, president and CEO of Alcon, Inc.; and the eye doctors of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Actor, producer and director Deborah Raffin will preside over the gala as Mistress of Ceremonies. Gavin, an actor who starred in the ABC TV series "The Land of the Lost" and guest starred in "Baywatch," founded the non-profit Center for Keratoconus in 1999 after being diagnosed with the disease. A progressive disorder with no known cure, keratoconus affects over 200,000 Americans. The disease begins as astigmatism and nearsightedness and steadily causes the cornea to thin and steepen. In its later stages, keratoconus results in vision loss. There is hope, though. With a scientific and medical team assembled from Johns Hopkins University, UCLA, UCSD, UC Berkeley, University of Houston, New York University, University of Iowa, University of Michigan, George Washington University Medical Center, New Jersey Medical School, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Mount Sinai Medical Center, the Center for Keratoconus is the largest health organization dedicated to providing keratoconus support, education, advocacy and research. To that end, the Center plans to open a state-of-the-art clinic offering keratoconus research, residency programs and training at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and has already helped fund grants for researchers studying keratoconus. With over 7,200 members, the organization's Web site archives over 20,000 messages regarding keratoconus, providing advice, in-depth discussions and an "Ask the Doctor" feature. "It is a privilege to be honored by the Eye Birth Defects Research Foundation," stated Gavin. "I am proud of the work we have done to raise keratoconus awareness, further research efforts and reach out to those diagnosed with this disease. I will be in good company at the Foundation's gala dinner, and I commend those who work hard every day to improve eye health around the world." Tickets for the first-ever Eye Birth Defects Research Foundation gala begin at $300 per person. The evening will include cocktails, a silent auction, dinner, and dancing to the music of BB King and the 13-piece Durell Coleman Band. Contact: Robert Gavin The Center for Keratoconus 888-289-5533 rgavin@kcenter.org http://www.kcenter.org |
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