CURE’s recent 10th Annual Benefit marked a new record in a decade of raising funds for cutting-edge epilepsy research. Over 700 guests joined honorees David Axelrod—father and national political consultant—and U.S. Senator Richard Durbin to show their generous support and to help raise an astounding $755,000 in response to the urgent need for more research dollars.

The evening’s program commenced with the debut of the 2008 CURE video, the latest in a poignant series of CURE productions documenting the devastating effects of epilepsy. President and Founder Susan Axelrod presented Senator Durbin with the 2008 CURE Champion for Epilepsy Award. The award recognizes Durbin’s ongoing work in Congress to raise awareness on a national level of the urgent need for a cure for the civilian and non-civilian populations. David Axelrod, the evening’s keynote speaker, shared his family’s personal experience and why this cause is so vitally important. The program concluded with a special tribute to David in which CURE family members, joined by his own daughter Lauren, thanked him for giving them and over three million other Americans suffering from epilepsy a much-needed voice.

Thank you to all of you that contributed to making this event special.  Key sponsors included:

Diamond Sponsor ($50,000)
UCB, Inc

Platinum Sponsors ($25,000)
American Airlines, Inc
Broadway Bank
Exelon Corporation
Fred Eychaner
The Strategy Group

Gold Sponsors ($12,000)
Susan & David Axelrod
Frank Brosens
Comcast Corporation
Richard J. Dennis
Development Specialists, Inc.
Howard L. Gottlieb
Judy & Scott Leisher
Daina Lyons & Forrest Claypool
Mesirow Financial Holdings, Inc
Dr. Nan Schaffer & Karen K. Dixon
Marjorie & Louis B. Susman

Proceeds from the Benefit will fund innovative scientific research that will one day lead to a cure for epilepsy.