NEW YORK, Nov. 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Last chance to buy tickets for Turn the Corner Foundation’s, http://www.turnthecorner.org/, annual gala, a fundraiser to help fight Lyme disease. The big event, Unmask a Cure, will be held tonight, Thursday, November 13, 2008 at Gotham Hall in New York City. Celebrities and prominent physicians involved in research and clinical treatment of Lyme disease are expected to attend. Awards will presented to individuals who have been instrumental in the last year in raising awareness and fostering innovative treatment for people suffering from the Lyme and other complex tick-borne diseases.
This year’s event will include a performance by Emmy Award-winning comedy writer, Alan Zweibel. Unmask a Cure follows the release of Alan Zweibel’s fourth book, a collection of his short stories and essay, Clothing Optional. Zweibel’s daughter, Lindsay Zweibel, will be receiving a Courage Award at the event for her battle and perseverance against Lyme disease.
Turn the Corner will present the Vision of Hope Award to Andy Abrahams Wilson, Producer/Director of Under Our Skin, a film that investigates the shocking human, medical and political dimensions of Lyme disease, for his efforts to raise awareness for chronic Lyme disease. Leading Lyme-literate physician, Bernard D. Raxlen, MD will receive the Humanitarian Award for his dedication to treating patients with tick-borne diseases, including Lyme.
“TTC is doing important work for the Lyme community, and has been a great force behind Under Our Skin,” said Andy Abrahams Wilson “Thanks to our joint efforts, the mainstream medical establishment can no longer ignore or marginalize chronic Lyme disease and its sufferers.”
Lyme disease is quickly becoming a national epidemic that is growing at a faster rate than AIDS. It is a multi-system disease that mirrors many different illnesses, which makes it difficult to diagnosis. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and experts agree that since the criteria for diagnosing Lyme is not definite, the 24,000 reported cases is more likely ten times higher.
Funds raised from this year’s gala will support further outreach and awareness of the physical, emotional and social effects of Lyme disease. This includes the groundbreaking Physicians Training Program, run by Turn the Corner and the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society, which provides medical practitioners the opportunity to study with a Lyme-literate health care professional to recognize and treat Lyme disease successfully.
To find out how you can become a sponsor of the gala, purchase tickets, or make a donation, please visit: http://www.turnthecorner.org/events_photo_unmask2008.htm.
Sponsors for the Third Annual Unmask a Cure include*: Damon Giglio Foundation, Open Eye Pictures, Citi Smith Barney, Goldman Sachs , David & Cindy Reichen baum, Patrick & Christine Beach, Marquis Jet, Fransis R. May, Miller Tabak, Starker Family Foundation, Yoga Kids, New York Private Bank & Trust, New York Tick Control, Quadrum Capital. *List in formation
Turn the Corner
Turn the Corner Foundation (TTC) is a national, nonprofit organization founded by Westchester residents Staci & Rich Grodin in 2002 to fight Lyme disease. It seeks to foster knowledge of the diagnosis and treatment of Lyme and raise awareness in the general public. TTC addresses the medical, psychosocial, emotional, and educational concerns relating to Lyme and provides support to the medical community and individuals who are afflicted, so that they may have access to state-of-the-art procedures and treatments. http://www.turnthecorner.org/
UNDER OUR SKIN
UNDER OUR SKIN is a powerful and often terrifying look not only at the science and politics of the disease, but also the personal stories of those whose lives have been affected and nearly destroyed. From a few brave doctors who risk their medical licenses, to patients who once led active lives but now can barely walk, the film uncovers a hidden world that will astound viewers. While exposing a broken health care and medical research system, the film also gives voice to those who believe that instead of a crisis, Lyme is simply a “disease du jour,” over diagnosed and contributing to another crisis: the looming resistance of microbes and ineffectiveness of antibiotics. As suspenseful and hair-raising as any Hollywood thriller, UNDER OUR SKIN is sure to get under yours. http://www.underourskin.com/
Turn the Corner Foundation
CONTACT: Sonia Tarbill, direct: +1-646-278-6740, cell: +1-646-265-1710,[email protected], for Turn the Corner
Web Site: http://www.turnthecorner.org/http://www.underourskin.com/
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