WHAT: Opening dedication for the University of Iowa’s Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center.
WHEN: 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014 with remarks at 11 a.m.
The UI will celebrate the dedication of the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center (FOE DRC) on Saturday, Aug. 23. The new facility, featuring 20,000 square feet of advanced research space with cutting-edge medical equipment, will allow the FOE DRC, with its 100 researchers, to pursue innovative diabetes research and find treatments and cures for the epidemic that affects more than 9 percent of the American population.
WHERE: Coralville Marriott Convention Hall, 300 E 9th St, Coralville, Iowa
WHO: University of Iowa President Sally Mason and Fraternal Order of Eagles leadership Celebrity Eagles: Singer Tony Orlando and Comedian Tom Parks
Though by invitation only, members of the media are welcome to attend the opening dedication.
FULL PRESS KIT: For a full press kit including information on b-roll, visit www.uifoundation.org/foedrc.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Dana Larson, executive director, UI Foundation, 319-467-3661, 917-345-9841 (mobile), dana-larson@uiowa.edu.
BACKGROUND: The FOE DRC is supported by a $25 million gift from the Fraternal Order of Eagles, a leading national community service organization, which was raised by thousands of members across the country.
“The Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center is one of the most visionary projects I’ve ever encountered,” says UI President Sally Mason. “Housed in our new Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building, where cutting-edge, breakthrough research will take place, the FOE DRC is poised to be on the forefront of diabetes research and to make significant advances in diabetes research in the next decade.”
The dedication celebration will take place at the Coralville Marriott, minutes from the UI campus, at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, and include remarks from UI President Sally Mason, FOE leadership, and notable Eagles members including singer Tony Orlando and comedian Tom Parks.
“With the Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, our organization will forever be linked with groundbreaking medical research that will change the lives of millions around the world,” says FOE Grand Worthy President Bud Haigh. “We set out on this journey six years ago to further establish the Eagles as a group dedicated to impacting the world and we’re proud to say we’ve done that through the FOE DRC.”
“For more than a century, the FOE has been centered on identifying problems and working collectively to help provide solutions to those problems,” says FOE Grand Madam President Gloria Mason. “Diabetes is a growing problem affecting lives within the Eagles and around the world. We’re proud to stand at the forefront of the fight against diabetes and work toward the ultimate solution – a cure.”
Nearly one in 12 Americans is affected by diabetes, including young Iowans such as Micah Cabbage, who was diagnosed at age 12. Micah’s mother, Joanne, said, “These kids have to live with the burden of diabetes every minute of every day; they can’t just be kids. It would be life changing to not think about diabetes all of the time. If the work at the FOE DRC can bring us to that point, it would mean everything to us. ”Founded in 1898, the Eagles fund research in areas such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and cancer, and raise money for neglected and abused children and aged, as well as work for social and civic change.
About the UI Foundation
The UI Foundation’s mission is to advance the UI and fulfill the aspirations of those it serves. The university’s dedicated contributors fund a broad array of needs, from student scholarships, breakthrough research and life-changing health care to innovative facilities, community outreach and global education.
The UI and UI Foundation are conducting a historic comprehensive $1.7 billion fundraising campaign, For Iowa. Forever More: The Campaign for the University of Iowa, which will help secure the UI’s status as a world-class institution for future generations.
The UI Foundation is the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the University of Iowa. For more information about the foundation and the campaign, visit www.foriowa.org.