Saturday, September 7, 2024

2024 Alzheimer’s Brilliance Gala: Honoring Innovation and Dedication

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Join the Alzheimer’s Association May 3rd at the Alila Marea Beach Resort in Encinitas for the Alzheimer’s Association San Diego & Imperial Chapter 2024 Brilliance Gala as they celebrate the work being done, and recognize those who have been a part of the fight.


This year, the Alzheimer’s Association will recognize the impact of local research by shining a light on companies on the forefront of developing treatments, which for the first time ever, address the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s disease rather than just symptoms.


One of those companies, Eisai, will also be recognized as the 2024 Alzheimer’s Association’s “Visionary Award” recipient. This award is presented to an individual, company or organization with remarkable foresight and dedication to improve the lives of those with dementia, their caregivers and loved ones. Eisai’s Alzheimer’s treatment drug, LEQEMBI was selected by Time Magazine as one of the Best Inventions of 2023 in the Medical category. LEQEMBI is the first and only approved treatment for patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of Alzheimer’s disease.

La Jollan Jayne Slade will be recognized as 2024 Alzheimer’s Association Hope Award honoree. Jayne knows firsthand what it is like to lose a loved one to Alzheimer’s, as she was a constant companion and caregiver to her husband Hank Slade throughout his battle. Hank and Jayne were active participants in the Alzheimer’s community and worked to educate and promote awareness as Hank battled the disease. Jayne has continued her involvement, currently co-facilitating a local caregivers group.

Past Brilliance Gala honorees include Best Buy Health, Karen Wilder, Dr. Michael Rafii, AMN/Susan and Scott Salka, Dr. David Crean, and Dr. Jeffrey Cummings.

The Alzheimer’s Association is making progress at an unimaginable rate, but there is still so much to do. And that work starts with your support. The Brilliance Gala offers more than an exceptional evening of celebration featuring cocktails, dinner, live and silent auction, live entertainment, special guests and more, but also an opportunity to change the future: An opportunity to create a world without Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.

Funds raised at the Brilliance Gala fund local programs and services as well as research to find treatments and a cure. The Association is currently funding more than $5 million in active research targeting Alzheimer’s disease across institutions right here in San Diego, including UC San Diego, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, the University of Southern California’s Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute and more. Overall, the Alzheimer’s Association has funded more than $14 million in local research.

The 2024 Brilliance Gala is co-chaired by a trio of San Diegans committed to changing the Alzheimer’s narrative: Paula Lemkuil, Rantell Ramirez, and Travis Chrisman. All three have experience with the disease, with both Paula and Travis losing a parent to Alzheimer’s. Edward Cox is the 2024 Brilliance Gala Honorary Chair. Edward served as the 2022 and 2023 Alzheimer’s Association Gala chair.

There has never been a more important time in the fight to end Alzheimer’s than right now. This urgency is the driving factor behind the 2024 Brilliance Gala.
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Danitza Villanueva
Danitza Villanueva
Danitza Villanueva was born in San Diego but spent her youth with her family in Tijuana and grew up on both sides of the border. She has transferred her unique insight of cross-border culture, trends and philanthropy to her business and community interests. Danitza attended high school at The Academy of Our Lady of Peace and became the first woman from her family to graduate from college. She has two degrees, one from Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in Fashion Marketing, and a second from San Diego Christian College in Communications. After starting GB Magazine with Esteban Villanueva in 2007, she has gone on to win awards and recognition from the community for her support of helping raise millions of dollars non-profit organizations. Currently she sits on the Board of Directors of the Academy of Our Lady of Peace and resides in East County in San Diego where she and her husband Esteban run DAESVI Publishing, home to GB Magazine, among several other publications.

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