The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation Celebrates Tenth Anniversary of Annual Fall Symposium & Luncheon

The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation marked ten years of its Annual Fall Symposium and Luncheon “Hope on the Horizon,” raising nearly $10 million for Alzheimer’s research over the past decade. Pamela J. Newman, CEO of PJN Strategies, received The Charles Evans Award from the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) at the luncheon, which was held at The Pierre in New York City, November 1. This year’s event welcomed nearly 400 guests and has raised $1.2 million for Alzheimer’s research.

Nine-time Emmy Award winner and longtime ADDF friend and board member, Paula Zahn, returned to host the inspirational event and welcomed guests to the luncheon, noting, “I am honored to have been a part of the annual Hope on the Horizon luncheon for the past ten years. It is encouraging to know there are so many efforts underway to find better ways to treat this cruel disease, delay its onset, and prevent it from developing. This is an important time in Alzheimer’s research, and that’s why philanthropy matters so much.”

ADDF Co-Founder and Co-Chairman Ronald S. Lauder noted, there is hope in drug discovery. “The ADDF has long been committed to diversifying drugs in development for Alzheimer’s, so it is very encouraging to us to see more and better drug targets in Alzheimer’s clinical trials.”

Mr. Lauder presented the Charles Evans Award to Pamela Newman, for her dedication and unstinting support of Alzheimer’s research. “Pamela truly embodies the altruistic essence of this award,” said Mr. Lauder. “Like Charles Evans, who this award is named in memory of, Pamela’s determination, advocacy and enthusiasm derive from her personal connection to the disease.”

“I am truly honored to receive this award from a foundation near and dear to my heart, which is committed to investing in the most promising approaches to treating Alzheimer’s. One unique characteristic of the ADDF is that they are a family – everyone here has a connection to the disease, and we are dedicated to finding better treatment options. It is critical that we band together as we continue to search for a cure so future generations are not burdened with this disease,” said Newman.

A morning symposium focused on repurposing drug research for Alzheimer’s was led by Dr. Howard Fillit, Executive Founding Director and Chief Science Officer of the ADDF and featured three distinguished panelists: Dr. Krista L. Lanctôt, Professor of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto and Senior Scientist, Sunnybrook Research Institute; Dawn C. Matthews, MS, MBA, CEO ADM Diagnostics, Inc.; and Dr. Ana Pereira, M.D., Assistant Professor Neurology and Neuroscience, and Laboratory Head, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Cures Within Reach presented the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation with the 2019 Golan Christie Taglia Patient Impact Philanthropy Award for the ADDF’s financial, operational and professional philanthropic support of research in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Fillit accepted the award, remarking, “On behalf of the ADDF, we are honored to receive this award from Cures Within Reach. We share the common of goal of fast-tracking research to bring safe and effective drug treatment options to patients and improve lives.”

Guests at the event included Carol Haarmann Acunto and Steve Acunto, Gigi and Harry Benson, Carol Seabrook Boulanger, Renée and Robert Belfer, Joyce B. Cowin, Mark Anthony Edwards, Bonnie Pfeifer Evans, Paul Fribourg, Stephanie Ginsberg, Nancy Goodes, Marjorie Reed Gordon, Susan Gutfreund, Chris Johnson, Ray Kelly, Deborah Krulewitch, Bonnie Englebardt Lautenberg, Laurence Leeds, Jr., Susan and Tom Lowder, Heidi and Tom McWilliams, B Michael, Donald Newhouse, Walter Raquet, Liz and Randal Sandler, Tom Scanlan, Alice Shure, Sharon Sager, Liz and Randal Sandler, Hadley and John Scully, Ambassador Teuta Sahatqija, Lynn Tishman, Laurie and Steve Toma, and Wendy Wilshin.

The ADDF is extremely grateful to this year’s generous supporters of the event, which included The Estée Lauder Companies Inc., Holman Ranch, Bombas, Bernard Maisner, The Breakers Palm Beach, Neue Galerie New York and Barbara’s Flowers.