A Night of Theater to Benefit the
Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund
at the University of Michigan Depression Center
We would like to thank all of our Sponsors, Event Committee Members and attendees for this very successful event!
The May 5, 2011 benefit event for the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research Fund – “Michigan in Chicago” – was a great success. The event was attended by 133 people and began with a reception at the Palmer House hotel and remarks by two of our faculty - John Greden, M.D., University of Michigan Depression Center Executive Director, and Melvin McInnis, M.D., Principal Investigator of the Prechter Fund - and Waltraud “Wally” Prechter, the Fund’s founder. The reception was followed by a spectacular performance of the Broadway musical “Next to Normal” at the Bank of America Theatre. The central character in “Next to Normal” is a woman living with bipolar disorder, and the musical portrays her experience with honesty and accuracy. The evening concluded with a talk-back with the musical’s cast.
“We would like to thank all of our event committee members and attendees for this wonderful event,” said Dr. McInnis. “A very special thank you goes out to our sponsors. We are grateful for their exceptional generosity in supporting bipolar research. Their gifts provide hope to those who are struggling with bipolar disorder, their families, and the researchers who are working to find a cure for this extremely challenging illness.”
Almost 6 million adult Americans have bipolar disorder, an illness that causes chemical imbalances in the brain and can lead to deep depressions, irrational “highs” and potentially tragic suicidal impulses. While the exact cause of bipolar disorder is unknown, research has shown that genetic, biochemical, and environmental factors play a role. “Understanding the interactions between genes and environmental stressors is believed to be a key to conquering this illness,” said Wally Prechter. “It is the Prechter Fund’s mission to support breakthrough research in psychiatric genetics, neuroimaging and neuroscience to find better diagnoses, treatments, and ultimately a cure.”
The event raised $65,000 after expenses, which is designated to support the Prechter Projects at the University of Michigan Depression Center. This event marked the Prechter Fund’s first foray outside of the state of Michigan to expand our audience of supporters who have an interest in bipolar disorder research.
Honorary Chair:
Mary Sue Coleman, President, University of Michigan
Event Committee:
Bruce and Eve Agin
Robert Barnett
Eric and Linda Brown
David and Joan Evans
Greg and Susan Gibson
Valerie and William Hall
Congressman Joe and Sandie Knollenberg
John and Patricia Lunden
Waltraud E. Prechter
Michael Pucker and Gigi Pritzker Pucker
Mike Revord and Meg Gibson Revord
Rex and Barb Sessions
Scott and Teresa Snow
David and Susan Van Hooser
Thomas and Sarah Wilson
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We are grateful to our sponsors:
Premier Sponsors:
Valerie and William Hall
Harbor Capital Advisors, Inc.
David and Susan Van HooserStar Sponsors:
Grainger
Michael Pucker and Gigi Pritzker Pucker
Scott and Teresa Snow
Thomas and Sarah WilsonSpotlight Sponsors:
Robert Barnett
Eric and Linda Brown
Ruth and Al Glancy
John and Renee Greden
Elizabeth and Brian Guz
Phil F. Jenkins
Mr. and Mrs. Leo Kiely
Eric and Sheila London
John and Patricia Lunden
Brad and Leslye Martin
Waltraud E. Prechter
Mike Revord and Meg Gibson Revord
Peter and Elizabeth Seaver
Friends and Family of Christopher Thornton
David and Elizabeth Zott
