Join us for a VIRTUAL toast!

Raise a virtual glass to help end Rett syndrome

Dear Boston Festival of Food & Wine Supporter,

We hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to share the news that the Boston Festival of Food & Wine will not be held this fall. Our plan is to take the year off to focus on our families and at the same time, to revise and revamp the event, and come back in 2013 stronger than ever.

We thank YOU from the bottom of our hearts for your years of support. Over its 11-year history, the Festival of Food & Wine has raised more than $5.5 million. What started out as a grassroots event in 2001 with a small passionate crowd at the Veronique in Brookline has grown to one of Boston’s most beloved events, raising more than $500,000 annually. Based on IRSF’s standard practice of funding of $100,000 per grant, this event has funded more than 50 research grants including two major Boston based grants – Rudolf Jaenisch at Whitehead Institute and the current clinical trial at Boston Children’s Hospital.

We remain committed to the core mission of the International Rett Syndrome Foundation to fund research for treatments and a cure for Rett Syndrome while enhancing the overall quality of life for those living with RTT. Some significant IRSF highlights from 2012 include:

  The addition of Steven Kaminsky, PhD, Chief Science Officer, to the IRSF leadership
     team.

  The funding of Phase II of Boston Children’s Hospital IGF-1 clinical trial. This important
     phase of the trial will measure how well the drug works in treating the symptoms of Rett
     syndrome and is happening in our own backyard!

  The funding of a second clinical trial to begin in Houston, TX testing a compound called
     NNZ-2566. This study will be a collaboration of Baylor College of Medicine and Neuren
     Pharmaceuticals.

  In 2012, IRSF awarded $2.0 million for translational research. For more information visit
     this page.

While we take a year off to rest and regroup, we invite you to consider joining us for a very special VIRTUAL toast. Below are links to take you to our Virtual Toast and help us continue to support IRSF in 2012.

Thank you and see you in 2013!

Click here to Toast to end Rett syndrome virtually
or click here to mail your toast in.

Fondly,
Chuck & Paula Curley
Michael & Jane Joyce
Christian & Ariane McMahan

IRSF is the world's leading private funder of basic, translational and clinical Rett syndrome research, funding over $28M in high-quality, peer-reviewed research grants and programs to date. Annually, IRSF hosts the world's largest gathering of global Rett researchers and clinicians to establish research direction and priorities while exchanging ideas and the most recent information. IRSF is the most comprehensive non-profit organization dedicated to providing thorough and accurate information about Rett syndrome, offering informational and emotional family support and stimulating research aimed at accelerating treatments and a cure for Rett syndrome and related disorders.IRSF has earned Charity Navigator's most prestigious 4-star rating. To learn more about IRSF and Rett syndrome, visit www.rettsyndrome.org or call IRSF at 1-800-818-7388 (RETT).