Celebrity Chefs Help Raise Funds For Duchenne MD Research

9/4/2002

WASHINGTON, Sept. 4 -- Some of the top chefs in the nation's capital are lending their names and their culinary skills to a major effort to raise funds for scientific research that hopefully will lead to a breakthrough in the treatment of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a devastating childhood genetic disorder that is currently incurable.

Led by Ann Cashion of Cashion's Eat Place and Johnny's Half Shell, 15 celebrity chefs will be offering up their specialties at a "Dining Away Duchenne" benefit on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2002. The event, which runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m., will be held on the rooftop of the Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue law offices at 51 Louisiana Avenue NW, in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol.

The evening benefit is being coordinated by Joel and Dana Wood, Washington lobbyists whose five-year-old son, James, suffers from the disease.

In addition to generating financial support for research efforts to find a cure for DMD, the evening also will honor members of Congress who have played leading roles in an ongoing effort to earmark federal dollars for DMD research.

This is the second "Dining Away Duchenne" benefit to be staged by the Woods and their celebrity chef friends, who represent some of the top restaurants in Washington. Last year's benefit and fund-raising efforts generated more than $600,000 in research.

Joining Cashion in preparing succulent foods ranging from appetizers to entrees and desserts are Jose Andres of Jaleo; Jeff Buben of Vidalia and Bistro Bios; Roberto Donna of Galileo; Todd Gray of Equinox; Greggory Hill of Gabriel; Bob Kinkead of Kinkead's and Colvin Run Tavern; Cesare Lanfranconi of Tosca; Susan Lindeborgh of Majestic Cafe; Vince McDonald of Cesco and Estrusco; Kaz Okochi of Kaz's sushi bistro; Michael Sternberg and Larry Work of Sam and Harry's and the Caucus Room; Robert Tsui of Peking Gourmet Inn; Jeff Tunks of DC Coast and Ten Penh; and Christie Velie of Cafe Atlantico.

Tickets for this extraordinary evening of dining are available for $250 each for individuals. A series of sponsorships also are available ranging from $1,000 to $50,000. To purchase tickets or to get further information on sponsorships, contact Claire Voelker at epiphany productions, 703-683-7500.

Proceeds from "Dining Away Duchenne" will go toward furthering the work of two pioneering researchers at Children's National Medical Center in Washington, Drs. Eric Hoffman and Diana Escolar. Escolar and Hoffman are on the cutting edge of DMD research. Hoffman was on the team of researchers that identified the gene responsible for DMD in 1987 and was the first scientist to clone the gene. Escolar is the director of the Cooperative International Neuromuscular Research Group, the pre-eminent organization working on effective treatments for children with DMD.

Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disorder that strikes young boys and typically results in death before the age of 20. Children with DMD have an inability to produce a protein called dystrophin that binds muscle cell walls together. As a result, the victims of DMD experience progressive loss of function as their muscles weaken over time, eventually succumbing to pulmonary and cardiac failure. Although researchers have identified techniques to create dystrophin expression, the only hope for children now suffering from the disease is through the development of a human clinical trial network.

For more information on the Children's National Medical Center and the Duchenne's research efforts, contact Felicia Lopez-Walker at 202-884-4500.