Monday, June 20, 2005
Mount Clemens, MI

The 13th Annual Michigan NARSAD Golf Classic was held at the Gowanie Golf Club in Mount Clemens, MI.

Once again, through the dedication and effort of NARSAD National Leadership Council member, Peppino Puleo, and NARSAD Board member, Tom Coles, M.D., with corporate sponsorship by Dominic Tringali of Tringali Sanitation, this annual NARSAD fund-raiser was a huge success.

On April 16, 2005, a concert was held in memory of Jerrad Gutierrez who lost his battle with schizophrenia on his 23rd birthday on November 20, 2004. The event was organized by Jerrad's cousin Gabriel Gutierrez and Gabriel's fiancee, Carrie King.

In addition to the three bands (Richard Roe, Split the Difference and Breakin' Strings) who donated their time and talent at Randolph Street Depot in Forest Park, IL., a raffle was held with items from various companies such as, Miller, Budweiser, SunChemical, Champps Americana, Weber Grill, Maggianos, Pizzeria Uno, and many others.

Gabriel and Carrie notified NARSAD that a total of $2,410.00 was raised and donated to NARSAD for continued research in finding better treatments and possible cures for schizophrenia.

NARSAD wishes to extend its gratitude for this support as well as condolences to all those who knew and love Jerrad.

Preserving a Son’s Memory
 
Livingston, NJ
June 06, 2004
 
A little rain did not dampen the spirits of Toby Serrouya, Alan’s friends and Laura Terio, NARSAD Resource Specialist, from participating in the third annual 5K walk for a cure for mental illness in memory of Toby Serrouya’s son, Alan Dutka. Alan’s Walk was held on June 6, 2004, at the Joseph Kushner Hebrew Academy in Livingston, New Jersey, of which Alan was a graduate. Alan was a bright young man who struggled for 8 ½ years with mental illness.  On April 2, 2000, he lost his battle. Toby decided to raise public awareness about the devastating effects of schizophrenia and to raise funds to help NARSAD continue research in mental illness by organizing a 5K walk.  She has made a commitment to continue a memorial fundraising event in memory of her son, Alan, each year.

Tom Coles, M.D., a NARSAD National Leadership Council (NLC) Chairperson, completed his FIFTH 100-mile bicycle ride for NARSAD on August 30, 2003, in Michigan. Tom's self-written caption for this photograph says it all, "Still smiling after 7 hours and 40 minutes of bicycling because it's a great cause."

Django, NYC - April 12, 2004

The Second Annual Django Dinner Party Benefit for NARSAD was a great success. Chaired by the Jacobs Family the evening included a cocktail reception, dinner (Kosher and Vegetarian meals were available), gift bag and a raffle drawing, which made for an evening full of fun for a great cause.

The benefit took place at Django, 480 Lexington Avenue (at 46th Street), NY, NY, on Monday, April 12th, and raised more than $60,000 for NARSAD's Research Programs.

Be sure to check our events page for the date of the next Django benefit.

The First Annual Network for NARSAD Golf Outing took place September 29-30, at Brigantine Golf Links in New Jersey. Prizes were given and a trophy was awarded to the winning foursome.

NARSAD warmly thanks Bill Roberts for his leadership and intense effort in making this event a smashing success. Proceeds to NARSAD were more than $5000.

Special thanks to Meredith Barrows who ran the Chicago Marathon and to Erika Cilengir who ran the Los Angeles Marathon. The efforts of these two extraordinary women have helped raise awareness and nearly $5000 to help support NARSAD.

Is there a link between extraordinary talent or creativity and bipolar disorder? Dr. Richard Kogan, a noted pianist and distinguished psychiatrist, explored this topic during a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Dr. Kogan graciously agreed to share his enormous musical talent and exceptional insight into Shumann's life and career to raise funds for NARSAD. Roxanne and Guy Lanquetot, members of NARSAD's National Leadership Council, approached Dr. Kogan about performing the concert and played a pivotal role in organizing the event.

NARSAD fundraising efforts hit a high note in February with a theater benefit featuring the Broadway musical, La Boheme. Billed as "the greatest love story ever sung," the Baz Luhrmann production of Puccini's opera featured extraordinary talent and ravishing set designs. More than 100 NARSAD friends and supporters enjoyed a private cocktail reception and delicious buffet dinner with cast members prior to the performance.

A number of celebrities attended the play to show their support. Photographers snapped away as Sandy Dunkin, Swoosie Kurtz, Elizabeth Shue, Molly Shannon and others arrived at the theater.

The event was made possible by Broadway producer Sandy Jacobs and his daughter Amy, who actually handles publicity for the hit show. Amy did a phenomenal job, and says this is only the beginning of her efforts to support NARSAD.

MINDMATTERS, which took place at the renowned Cooper Union in New York City, had something for everyone. An exciting mix of events blended music, art, and science into a three day extravaganza.

The event kicked off with an art exhibition preview and silent auction of art provided by NARSAD Artworks and 20 other organizations supporting artists with psychiatric disorders. The exhibit also featured contemporary artists whose work explored the complexity of the mind, as well as self taught and outsider artists. Attendees were treated to hors d'oeuvres by NOBU and Grey Goose Vodka cocktails.

On day two a complimentary Scientific Symposium featured Dennis Charney, M.D., of the National Institute of Mental Health, Jack Gorman, M.D. of Columbia University, and Daniel Weinberger, M.D. of the National Institute of Mental Health. Following the scientific lectures, the attentive audience heard a moving presentation by Andrew Solomon, author of The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression, winner of the 2001 National Book Award.

That evening a performance by renowned musician and composer Wynton Marsalis entertained the crowd.

The third day of MINDMATTERS featured a series of art lectures moderated by Dean Robert Rindler, Cooper Union School of Art. The talks were followed by lectures from Oliver Sacks, M.D., neurologist and author, and educator/author, Temple Grandin, Ph.D.

MINDMATTERS would not have been possible without the efforts of Howard and Ellen Schusterman, members of NARSAD's National Leadership Council, who spearheaded the event. Board members Hal and Patsy Hollister also made important contributions, providing a variety of outstanding artistic works from their organization, NARSAD Artworks. The Alliance is also grateful to Jerry Callaghan for his support.