Pamela Sloate Bronx Dystonia Zoo Day Reunites Community & Supports Research
The Pamela Sloate Bronx Dystonia Zoo Day to benefit the DMRF took place Saturday, September 10th. This is the sixth year of the event, and the first since it was renamed to honor DMRF Board Member Pamela Sloate who died from cancer in April. Pamela previously served as Chair of the planning committee, a role graciously taken on largely by DMRF Vice President of Support Paula Schneider in her absence.
A brief program was led by DMRF Vice President of Development Ron Hersh. Ron supported the event along with his daughter Allison London who also serves on the DMRF Board and attended with husband Dan and their daughter Daisy. “It was so special, being back in person at the zoo. Coming together with so many people from the dystonia community was like a homecoming,” Ron said. “The added meaning of honoring the memory of Pam Sloate and commemorating the anniversary of the discovery of the DYT1 gene, with Dr. Susan Bressman, elevated it even higher. It was an honor to be there, as always.”
DMRF Board Member Liz Rawson presented movement disorder specialist Susan Bressman, MD of Mount Sinai with the DMRF’s Changing Lives through Science Award for her contributions to the discovery of the DYT1/TOR1A dystonia-causing gene 25 years ago.
Special guests included Lolly Lardpop performed by acclaimed performer, puppeteer, and artist Leslie Carrara-Rudolph known for her Sesame Street Muppet characters.
Multiple cities will soon be hosting an in-person Dystonia Zoo Day: Boston (9/17), Pittsburgh (9/18), Cleveland (9/25), Los Angeles (10/1), and Twin Cities (10/2).
The event series will end with the 3rd Virtual Dystonia Zoo Day & Closing Ceremony (10/8).
All team donations, for in-person and virtual Dystonia Zoo Days, will be matched up to $100,000 by a generous anonymous donor.
National Sponsors of the Dystonia Zoo Day program are Allergan, an AbbVie Company; Merz Therapeutics, and Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals.
The Dystonia Medical Research Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to advancing research for improved dystonia treatments and ultimately a cure, promoting awareness, and supporting the well-being of affected individuals and families.
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