Virtual Happy Hour: On the Cusp of Cures 

WHAT: Join us to hear from George K. Gittes, MD, UPMC Children's Hospital Surgeon in Chief Emeritus and Director of the Richard King Mellon Foundation Institute for Pediatric Research, and Co-Scientific Director at Children's. Dr. Gittes is a world-renowned surgeon, scientific researcher, and mentor to many young physician-scientists. He is now on the verge of multiple breakthrough medical treatments for several debilitating conditions affecting both children and adults.  

In this casual, interactive Happy Hour, he will share his passion for a cure for type 1 diabetes.  “Diabetes is a leading health concern in the country, the number one biomedical cost, with 30 million people in the U.S. living with some form of the disease,” Dr. Gittes shares. “It’s a big problem.”  To develop a corrective solution, Dr. Gittes and his team looked to gene therapy. In patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas have been destroyed by the body’s own immune system. Dr. Gittes is working to modify the cells using a gene editing procedure.

WHO: All Members, Donors, Spouses/Significant Others, and Friends. You are welcome to forward this invitation via email to a prospective member or an individual interested in this exciting area of research.

WHEN: Friday, June 26, 2020, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM.

WHERE: From the comfort of your home in front of the computer. The Zoom link with instructions will be emailed to you within a week of your registration.

COST: Your favorite libation in hand and ready for our special Happy Hour toasts!

RSVP: By June 24, 2020. The event will have a cap of 100 attendees so please sign up asap.

Questions? Contact our Host, Pam Meadowcroft at pmeadowcroft1@gmail.com or Co-Host, Maria Townsend at townsendassociatesllc@gmail.com.