Newswise — San Francisco, CA – March 8, 2016: The Glaucoma Research Foundation honored Charlot and Dennis Singleton (Atherton, CA), James B. Wise, MD, and Masashi Oka (Executive Chairman emeritus for MUFG Union Bank), at the Glaucoma 360 Annual Gala on January 28, 2016 at San Francisco’s historic Palace Hotel. More than 300 guests attended the 10th annual gala, which raised more than $430,000 to support Glaucoma Research Foundation’s innovative research and education programs.
The Catalyst Award was presented to Charlot and Dennis Singleton in recognition for their outstanding leadership and philanthropic contributions to medicine and education. “Dennis has served on our Board of Directors for 18 years and he and Charlot give generously to support our mission, as well as many other organizations. We are thrilled to recognize both of them for their extraordinary philanthropy and advocacy,” said Thomas M. Brunner, President and CEO of the Glaucoma Reseach Foundation.
The Visionary Award was presented to James B. Wise, MD, for his many contributions to the field of ophthalmology including the development of argon laser trabeculoplasty (ALT), a laser procedure for the treatment of open-angle glaucoma. The President’s Award was presented to Masashi Oka, Executive Chairman emeritus for MUFG Union Bank and Special Advisor to the President and CEO of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, for his help in generating support for Glaucoma Research Foundation and in recognition of his invovlement in many community organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The evening included a special performance from award-winning soprano and 2016 San Francisco Opera Adler Fellow, Julie Adams accompanied by pianist John Churchwell, PhD, Head of Music Staff at San Francisco Opera.
Co-chaired by Nobuko Saito Cleary and Gary Cleary, PharmD, PhD, the Annual Gala included the President’s Reception and silent auction, a live auction, and dinner and awards to celebrate the catalysts and visionaries who believe in Glaucoma Research Foundation’s mission to prevent vision loss from glaucoma by investing in innovative research and patient education.
Glaucoma is a complicated eye disease in which damage to the optic nerve leads to progressive, irreversible vision loss. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness, and in its most common form, there are virtually no early-warning symptoms. It is estimated that over 3 million Americans, and over 60 million worldwide, have glaucoma but only half of those know they have it.
About Glaucoma Research FoundationFounded in 1978 and headquartered in San Francisco, Glaucoma Research Foundation is America's oldest and most experienced nonprofit dedicated solely to its mission: to prevent vision loss from glaucoma by investing in innovative research, education and support with the ultimate goal of finding a cure. Glaucoma Research Foundation has invested more than $50 million into research and education to prevent vision loss from glaucoma. Glaucoma 360 is a unique series of annual events presented by Glaucoma Research Foundation that includes the New Horizons Forum—a full-day meeting dedicated to innovations in glaucoma therapy— and the Glaucoma Symposium CME (Continuing Medical Education) for practicing ophthalmologists. All proceeds from Glaucoma 360 support Glaucoma Research Foundation’s research and education programs. More information is available at www.glaucoma.org.
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