BREAST CANCER BENEFIT KICKS-OFF DAMISCH CONCERT TOUR
Northbrook's Mayor, Mark Damisch, Helps Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships Fund Innovative Research

For Release:  June 20, 2003                                 
Contact:  Liese Kant  847/948-5512

Northbrook, IL – Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships, a nonprofit foundation that helps donors directly fund medical research, hosts a private performance by internationally renowned concert pianist, Mark Damisch, at the Gold Coast home of Wilmette residents Professor and Mrs. Ralph Barnett, on July 13 to fund an innovative breast cancer project at Harvard Medical School.  The event begins at 3:30 p.m. with refreshments and a tour of the Barnett’s noted art collection. Mr. Damisch’s performance includes pieces by Gershwin, Chopin, Bartok, Prokofiev and Beethoven. The requested contribution to attend the concert is $100 per person. Tickets can be obtained by contacting Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships at 847/948-5512 or on the web at www.goldmanpartnerships.org/events.html.

All proceeds from the July 13 event will directly fund an important research project at Harvard Medical School to determine the impact of antioxidants on the effectiveness of radiation therapy in breast cancer treatment. The research is designed to settle the controversy about whether or not the natural action of antioxidants in the human body protects cancer cells exposed to radiation. Radiation destroys cancer cells by damaging DNA; antioxidants work by repairing damaged DNA.  Physicians and patients need to know whether or not they should limit antioxidant intake during periods of radiation therapy. Contributors to the concert become Inspired Venture partners in this project and receive ongoing project updates.

Concertgoers will also have the opportunity to meet Dr. Ilya Koltover, Northwestern researcher and 2003 recipient of the prestigious Rockefeller Brothers Fund /Culpeper Biotechnology Pilot Initiative Grant, co-sponsored by Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships’ donors. Dr. Koltover is developing of a novel virus mimicking (bio-mimetic) drug delivery system.  This bio-mimetic system will feature a non-toxic “bubble” able to transport a drug molecule locked inside and protected from natural defense mechanisms of the body. The “bubble” would attach only to diseased cells and only then release the drug right into the diseased cell to treat the disease.  This system would be inexpensive, safe, able to treat a wide range of diseases, and have very few side effects.

Mr. Damisch, mayor of Northbrook, realized his musical talent at age four and began touring internationally as a pianist in 1974. Following a hiatus, Mr. Damisch returned to the stage in 2000 and has since toured Europe each summer. In 2002, he was one of only six pianists given the privilege of performing in Tchaikovsky’s Moscow home.  In 2003, Mr. Damisch’s tour takes him from Chicago to Chicago’s sister city, Kiev in Ukraine, to raise money for local orphanages and on to fundraisers in Chicago’s sister city in Israel, Petach Tikva, with many concerts along the way. Most residents of Northbrook have yet to realize the accomplishments of their multi-talented mayor.

Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships’ (GPP’s) unique medical research funding model the Inspired Venture, blends creative philanthropy with proven business practices. Through the Inspired Venture model, GPP gives donors the opportunity to pursue the cure of any disease. Donors can directly select and fund innovative research that is personally meaningful. Donors can participate at any funding level. Some projects are funded by a single donor; others are funded by a pool of donors. GPP secures matching funding for every project from co-sponsoring institutions and organizations. As a result, each donated dollar creates at least two dollars in research. Donors know exactly where their money is going and receive quarterly reports on the progress and outcomes of their selected projects.

Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships (GPP) was founded by George and Judy Goldman of Lake Forest in 1998 in response to needs observed in the funding of innovative research during Judy’s ongoing, thirteen-year battle with multiple myeloma cancer. Their half-century of experience running successful investment businesses led them to realize the need to incorporate business tools into their new philanthropic model. At GPP, all research is validated twice by respected scientists before acceptance for funding.  Research projects take place at the finest research institutions in the country, and a business plan and budget are attached to every project.

“Truly innovative research may not qualify for mainstream medical research funding, so GPP develops funding sources to provide the money necessary to start these pioneering projects and the management experience to see them completed,” said Dr. Bruce E. Bloom, CEO of Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships. “We believe that high risk/ high reward research can lead to breakthroughs and ultimately cures for a range of catastrophic diseases. Our Inspired Venture donors travel down the road of scientific discovery with pioneering researchers.”

Additional information on Goldman Philanthropic Partnerships is available at www.goldmanpartnerships.org  or by calling 847/948-5512.