2018 Kate Foundation Gala
Please Join Us!
On Saturday, July 14th, the Kate Foundation will hold its 2018 Gala to benefit Rett syndrome research. The event will be held in Branford, Connecticut on the lawn at One Selden Avenue overlooking Long Island Sound.
Beginning at 6:00 PM, guests will enjoy ocean views of the Thimble Islands as well as live music, fine hors d'oeuvres, raw bar and carving stations. Guests can browse dozens of silent auction items while sipping a signature cocktail from Ordinary of New Haven. There will also be a short program and research update, followed by a live auction.
There will not be a formal sit-down dinner or assigned tables at this year's event. However, there will be plenty of tables and chairs for guests to sit, eat and socialize. We are excited about this new event format.
About Rett Syndrome and the Gala
Girls with Rett syndrome develop typically for the first 6-18 months of life before abruptly losing their fine and gross motor skills. After learning to say words, grasp objects, and crawl on the floor, Kate’s motor and language function stalled and then regressed. Now 11 years old, Kate has overcome many obstacles. She uses her eyes to communicate, enjoys friends at school and has made large strides in her therapy programs. But her potential remains hampered, and her quality of life is impaired.
In 2007, a research breakthrough gave girls with Rett syndrome and their families tremendous hope. Neurobiologist Adrian Bird, Ph.D. demonstrated a reversal of Rett syndrome in mice by restoring proper levels of a protein called MECP2, the same protein altered in girls with the disorder. The mice, genetically-engineered to have severe Rett syndrome, recovered normal function and became indistinguishable from healthy mice once the protein was restored using genetic engineering tools.
Leading neurobiologists believe it is no longer a question of if Rett syndrome can be reversed in humans, but how and when it will be accomplished. Projects are underway at cutting-edge research institutions and universities, but funding is needed. Learning more about MECP2 could help millions, as MECP2 has been implicated in autism, Parkinson’s disease, learning disabilities, and schizophrenia.
Proceeds benefit the Rett Syndrome Research Trust, a leading research
organization exclusively focused on reversing Rett syndrome and other MECP2 disorders.
On behalf of our daughter Kate and girls around the world with Rett syndrome, we invite you to join us for a spectacular evening.
Overnight Accommodations
If you're coming in from out of town and need a place to stay, we recommend the following hotels and inns:
Branford - Holiday Inn Express (5 min.)
New Haven - The Study at Yale (15 min.)
Guilford - The B&B at Bartlett Farm (15 min.)
Milford - Marriott Residence Inn (20 min.)
Madison - Tidewater Inn (20 min.)
Madison - Madison Beach Hotel (20 min.)
Old Saybrook - Saybrook Point Inn (30 min.)
Old Lyme - Old Lyme Inn (30 min.)
Old Lyme - Bee and Thistle Inn (30 min.)
Wallingford - Courtyard Marriott (35 min.)