Gala to Celebrate 10-Year Anniversary of CureDuchenne Will Honor Man Behind Its Successful Venture Philanthropy Strategy

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., February 26, 2014 – 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, March 29 at the Balboa Bay Club & Resort. The event will celebrate CureDuchenne’s 10 years of successfully advancing Duchenne research. At the event, CureDuchenne will honor a nationally recognized former tax attorney and business executive, Doug Freeman, who played an integral role in establishing CureDuchenne’s successful venture philanthropy model.    

Freeman is the architect of CureDuchenne’s strategy to raise philanthropic funds and invest them in companies that are working with promising drugs to help cure Duchenne. From CureDuchenne’s inception in 2004, this model has enabled the nonprofit to leverage $100 million from biotech and pharmaceutical companies to fund Duchenne research. CureDuchenne has funded seven research projects that have advanced to human clinical trials.

“As we celebrate our 10-year anniversary, we recognize Doug’s creativity, insight and passion for CureDuchenne’s mission from our inception,” said Debra Miller, founder and CEO of CureDuchenne. “We are grateful for Doug’s vision and support. Today, we continue to identify and fund the most promising and innovative therapies with the goal of translating them to clinical trials as quickly as possible.”

Freeman provides strategic planning and organizational management advice for business, nonprofit, foundation, and family clients and has consulted nearly 300 family foundations, support organizations and public charities throughout the United States. He serves on the board of directors at First Foundation Inc. and on several nonprofit organizations, including the University of California, Irvine Foundation and Orange County’s Pacific Symphony. Freeman is the author of three books and more than 30 articles and treatises on philanthropy and wealth planning. He is also the co-founder of National Philanthropy Day.

“Seeing the venture philanthropy model accelerate research focused on finding a cure for Duchenne is inspirational,” said Freeman.  “I’m honored to support the passionate philanthropists behind this organization in reaching their important goal to save the lives of so many youngsters.”

 Duchenne is a progressive muscle-wasting disease that impacts one in 3,500 boys. Boys are usually diagnosed by five, in a wheelchair by 12 and most don’t survive their mid-20s. Currently, there is no approved treatment for Duchenne. All proceeds of the Champions to CureDuchenne Gala will support the most promising research projects aimed at treating and curing Duchenne.

 Go to www.CureDuchenne.org/NewportBeachGala to purchase tables and tickets. Or call 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 as successful in being a catalyst for human clinical trials.

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