The Staglin Family Raises Funds, Announces International Mental Health Research Organization and Facilitates Research Symposium at 15th Annual Music Festival for Mental Health
RUTHERFORD, Calif.-(Business Wire)-September 15, 2009 - On September 12, the 15th Annual Staglin Family Music Festival for Mental Health raised $2.1 million to support pioneering mental health research. Additionally, leveraged funds provided to scientists as a result of the Festival's initial research funding reached $4.9 million in 2009, bringing the combined 15 year total in direct and leveraged funds approaching $95 million dollars to date. The Staglins also announced the formation of the International Mental Health Research Organization (IMHRO), and presented a preview of a national anti-stigma campaign that is scheduled to launch in October of 2009.
California Lt. Governor John Garamendi addressed the participants and Congressman Mike Thompson read congratulatory statements from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Congressman Patrick Kennedy, (D-RI).
A noontime symposium was presided over by Dr. Helen Mayberg of Emory University along with the three $250,000 IMHRO Rising Star Award recipients for 2009: Francis Lee, M.D., Ph.D., Weill Cornell Medical College; Andrew Pieper, M.D., Ph.D., University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; and Hongjun Song, Ph.D.. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
“We are feeling more confident each year that we are going to be able to the find the answers to and cures for mental illness," said Shari Staglin.
Over 70 world class wineries, including Abreu, Colgin, Opus One, Harlan, Scarecrow, Shafer, Lewis, Bond and Staglin Family Vineyard poured their finest vintages, paired with passed hors d'oeuvres by Cyrus Restaurant chef Douglas Keane.
Comedian Bob Sarlatte welcomed Rock & Roll queen Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo to center stage for her classic hits "Hit Me With Your Best Shot", “We Live For Love” and "Heartbreaker" followed by a post concert Italian-style dinner by renowned chef Staffan Terje of San Francisco's Perbacco Restaurant.
In connection with the Music Festival, IMHRO also sponsored a conference with 30 of the top neuroscientists in the world to share data and discussions on DISC1, one of the genes most likely to be disrupted in psychiatric disorders.
Tom Insel, Director of the NIMH, co-chaired the Conference, and cited the analogy of a jigsaw puzzle in which “clearly DISC1 is an edge piece, and something we want to build on.” The conference was held over 3 days at the Westin Verasa Napa hotel and was conducted to serve as an example of how to develop strategies that may generalize to other risk genes.
“With our combined funding nearing $100 million, we will continue to support the remarkable work being conducted by the world's leading brain researchers. If we keep focused, ask the right questions, and fund the right research, cures for mental illness are possible in our lifetime," Garen Staglin added.
Next year’s festival will be held on September 11, 2010 at the Staglin Family Vineyard, Rutherford, Calif. Attendees will once again be treated to a celebrity chef, the world's best wines, and the Staglins announced Country Music Superstar Dwight Yoakam as the 2010 Festival headliner.
Donations to the Music Festival for Mental Health may be made on-line at www.music-festival.org, or by sending a check to IMHRO, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization that sponsors the Music Festival. Please mail donation to: P.O. Box 680, Rutherford, Calif., 94573.
For further information, please call (707) 944-0477 or email cindy@music-festival.org or visit www.music-festival.org
Photos available upon request
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