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2015 Kate Foundation Gala

Please Join Us!

On Saturday, September 12th, the Kate Foundation will hold its 2015 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 5:00 PM, guests will enjoy panoramic ocean views of The Thimble Islands as well as live music, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and a selection of silent auction items. Dinner begins under the tent at 7:00 PM and includes a short program and live auction.

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 eight 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 profoundly 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.

Now, 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, 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. To read more, download our .pdf brochure below:

PDF Flyer

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.)