Champions to CureDuchenne Newport Beach Gala to Honor Scott and Lisa Niedermayer

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., January 16, 2013 – CureDuchenne, a nonprofit that raises awareness and funds research to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, will host its annual Champions to CureDuchenne Newport Beach Gala on Saturday, February 9 at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort. CureDuchenne will honor Scott and Lisa Niedermayer for their strong commitment to CureDuchenne over the years. Orange County’s most prominent business and community leaders will be treated to a special dinner menu designed by Stan Frazier, former drummer for rock band Sugar Ray, co-owner of A Restaurant in Newport Beach and the most recent winner of “Chef Race.”  

Duchenne is a progressive muscle-wasting disease that impacts 1 in 3,500 boys. Boys are usually diagnosed by 5, in a wheelchair by 12 and most don’t survive their mid-20s. All proceeds of the Champions to CureDuchenne Gala will benefit CureDuchenne, the leading organization funding research through venture philanthropy to find a cure for Duchenne.

Scott Niedermayer, recently named assistant coach of the Anaheim Ducks, former captain of the Ducks and Stanley Cup champion, is one of the most decorated hockey players of all-time. He is the only individual to win every major North American and international championship including the Memorial Cup, World Junior Championship, World Championship, World Cup, four Stanley Cups and two Olympic gold medals. Niedermayer has supported CureDuchenne by climbing Mt. Shasta and the Grand Tetons, as well as participate in a golf tournament, to raise awareness and funds. Lisa Niedermayer has served on the Newport Beach Gala committee and inspired others to get involved. Lisa’s cousin has FSHD, a form of muscular dystrophy, and she is also an advocate for that disease.

“Scott and Lisa Niedermayer are true champions to CureDuchenne,” said Debra Miller, founder and CEO of CureDuchenne. “They are compassionate and supportive of CureDuchenne’s focused efforts to fund promising research to find a cure for this devastating disease. Based on scientific knowledge, Duchenne could become treatable for this generation of boys. We just need the funding to make it happen now.”

Wells Fargo is a supporting sponsor of the Champions to CureDuchenne Newport Beach Gala. Individual tickets cost $350 and tables of eight cost $2,500. Tickets can be purchased here or by calling CureDuchenne at 949-872-2552.

About CureDuchenne
CureDuchenne is a national nonprofit organization located in Newport Beach, Calif., dedicated to finding a cure for Duchenne, the most common and most lethal form of muscular dystrophy. As the leading genetic killer of young boys, Duchenne affects more than 300,000 boys worldwide. CureDuchenne has garnered international attention for its efforts to raise funds and awareness for Duchenne through venture philanthropy. With the help of CureDuchenne’s distinguished international panel of Scientific Advisors, funds raised by CureDuchenne support the most promising research aimed at treating and curing Duchenne. To date, seven CureDuchenne research projects have made their way into human clinical trials – a unique accomplishment as few health-related nonprofits have been successful in being a catalyst for human clinical trials.