Star-Studded Virtual Event from American Brain Foundation to recognize breakthroughs in brain disease research on April 21

The American Brain Foundation’s Commitment to Cures 2021 annual gala will take place virtually on April 21, 2021, 8-9 p.m. ET to support the researchers and advocates working toward life without brain disease. The event will honor Sanjay Gupta, MD; Cindy McCain; and Khloé Kardashian—each of whom has made an impact on raising awareness for brain disease research. Jim Cramer, host of CNBC’s “Mad Money”, will reprise his role as Master of Ceremonies, with the addition of a musical performance by Grammy-nominated singer Alex Newell from Glee and Broadway.

“On April 21 we have an incredible lineup of all-star advocates, each of whom come from different walks of life, all committed to advancing brain disease research,” said Jane Ransom, ABF executive director. “This event will celebrate the progress we’ve made and honor the leading minds who have created a pathway to hope for millions of Americans impacted by brain diseases—and the best part is that all are welcome to join us from the comfort of their homes.”

Commitment to Cures is a virtual event and open to the public, with ticket prices starting at $40. All proceeds go toward promoting and investing in research across the whole spectrum of brain disease.

Brain disease impacts millions of Americans each year and includes stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, migraine, glioblastoma, and many more disabling disorders that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. The goal of the Commitment to Cures gala is to bring donors and researchers together to progress treatment of brain diseases and disorders—because we believe that when you cure one, you will cure many.

“Our whole-brain approach recognizes the interconnectedness of brain diseases and supports innovation through research by the best and brightest in the field of neurology,” said David W. Dodick, MD, ABF board chair, professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic’s College of Medicine and director of the Headache Program and Sports Neurology and Concussion Program at Mayo.

To honor the progress in the field, ABF will recognize the following awardees:

1. Public Leadership in Neurology Award: Sanjay Gupta, MD, will be honored for his role in raising public awareness of brain health. As a neurosurgeon and neuroscientist who has become America’s doctor, and through his new book, “Keep Sharp,” Dr. Gupta has made a massive contribution to the public’s awareness of brain health for overall health.
2. Commitment to Cures Award: Cindy McCain is honored for building awareness for glioblastoma and for the philanthropic work she has initiated for the disease after her late husband, US Senator John McCain, succumbed to the disease in 2018. She joined the American Brain Foundation board of directors in January 2020 to help raise disease awareness in the public conscience. Her fundraising work has helped advance neuroscience research and patient care.
3. Scientific Breakthrough Award: The research of Peter Goadsby, MD, PhD has led to the development of biologics and drugs that block the CGRP pathway. As a result, new preventive and acute migraine treatments have been approved which have changed the lives of so many people with migraine. As part of the award, ABF has developed the Goadsby Headache Research Fund in his honor. This endowed fund will create opportunities for better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment for migraine and other headache disorders.
4. Ambassador Award: Khloé Kardashian will be presented with the 2021 Ambassador Award for her work raising awareness for migraine, a disabling disease that impacts more than 39 million people in the U.S. alone. For more than 20 years, she has lived with migraine, and she knows first-hand that it is much more than just a headache. Now, she is empowering those living with the migraine by sharing her story.
5. Ambassador Award: The NFL Players Association’s Mackey-White Health & Safety Committee will be honored for its role in protecting players from and raising awareness of sports concussion. Formed in 2009, the Mackey-White Committee has led the effort to develop safety policies for past, present, and future NFL players.
6. Potamkin Prize for Research in Pick’s, Alzheimer’s, and Related Diseases:
   • Kenneth S. Kosik, MD, neurologist and professor of neuroscience at the University of California, Santa Barbara, will be recognized for his many contributions to neurodegenerative disease research including his current extraordinary work in Alzheimer’s.
   • Giovanna Mallucci, MD, PhD, neurologist, professor at the University of Cambridge, and director of the UK Dementia Research Institute, is honored for her research into the use of repurposed drugs for treating neurodegenerative diseases.
7. The Sheila Essey Award: An Award for ALS Research: Jan Veldink, MD, PhD, from University Medical Center Utrecht, is recognized for his contributions to ALS epidemiology and genetics, which have been instrumental to the field as it is today and have led to important novel discoveries including several new ALS risk genes.

“I am proud to be a champion for the nearly 40 million Americans who suffer from the painful burden of migraine. Migraine has been an unwelcome part of my life since I was in sixth grade. I want to be a voice for others, who have felt voiceless in their struggle with migraine,” said Khloé Kardashian, recipient of the 2021 Ambassador Award.

In addition to honoring brain research awardees, the ABF will also announce the new groundbreaking 2021 Cure One, Cure Many research award for the early diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia at Commitment to Cures. This $3 million, multi-year research award was created to find a biomarker for Lewy body dementia , a degenerative disease that causes a progressive decline in cognitive function and is the second most common cause of dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease.

All proceeds from the Commitment to Cures event go toward funding vital research that will advance the fight against brain disease.

“Please stand with us in the fight against brain disease by attending the virtual event, making a donation, and sharing our mission with colleagues, friends, and family,” said Dodick.