Global Brain and Vision Research Nonprofit Hosts Inaugural Concert for Cures Celebrating Science

Updated on June 28, 2024

BrightFocus Foundation, a global nonprofit that funds innovative brain and vision research worldwide, hosted its inaugural Concert for Cures on Wednesday, June 26, at City Winery in Nashville.

Featuring host and executive producer of Country Music Television (CMT)’s After MidNite, CMT Radio Live, and CMT All Access Cody Alan as Master of Ceremonies, the evening included musical selections from special guests Chris Janson, Jackson Dean, and Lillian Hepler and a silent auction including signed guitars by Dolly Parton and Glen Campbell.

With more than 200 guests, the event showcased some of the world’s most exciting research to end Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma, with testimonials by several BrightFocus-supported scientists.

During cocktail hour, guests heard from three Vanderbilt University researchers at the forefront of brain and eye research. Later, research scientist John Penn, PhD, of Vanderbilt School of Medicine and a past BrightFocus Macular Degeneration Research Scientific Review Committee member, spoke about the importance of investing in early-career researchers.

“The competition for federal research funding is intense. Only 10-15% of research proposals submitted to the National Institutes of Health are viewed favorably,” Dr. Penn said. “If [young scientists] are left out, where will the next generation of biomedical scientists come from?”

“BrightFocus serves as a crucial catalyst for the careers of emerging investigators. By making their new findings possible, BrightFocus supports entire communities of scientists who have dedicated their lives to addressing these brain and eye conditions,” he added.

Ryan Darby, MD, joined dementia educator and advocate Debra Tann, EdD, and her husband, Chris Tann, onstage to share their story of participating in a clinical trial. Dr. Darby, an assistant professor of neurology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and director of the Frontotemporal Dementia Clinic, is leading a clinical trial in which Chris participates.

Proceeds benefit BrightFocus Foundation and its three programs—Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Macular Degeneration Research, and National Glaucoma Research—to help find cures and treatments for these neurodegenerative diseases.

“We are delighted to bring the BrightFocus community together in Nashville—along with several special guests—to celebrate the impact of scientific research,” said BrightFocus President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller. “Working together, we will find cures for these age-related conditions we fear the most—loss of mind and loss of sight.”

The unforgettable evening was generously supported by the following sponsors: RKD Group (Cure Sponsor); Alliance for Aging Research, Biogen, CaringKind, Eisai, Gates Ventures, UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (Effective Treatment Sponsors); Apellis (FDA Approval Sponsor); Alzheon, J.P. Morgan Private Bank, PCH Films, REGENXBIO, Sandy Spring Bank, Sanofi, Vanderbilt Eye Institute, and Vanderbilt Ophthalmic Contract Research Organization (Scientific Breakthrough Sponsors).

Pictured above:

• Dr. Imam Uddin, assistant professor of ophthalmology and visual sciences at Vanderbilt, shares his BrightFocus-supported research on age-related macular degeneration.
• Members of the BrightFocus Board of Directors. From left: President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller, Shawna Gottlieb, Dr. Jan Stouffer, Dr. Adam Myers, Patricia McGlothlin Stewart, Seth Perlman, Ann Argabright Seclow, Dr. Thomas Freddo.
• From left: Jaime Torrington (Biogen), BrightFocus President and CEO Stacy Pagos Haller, BrightFocus Senior Vice President of Strategic Partnerships Nancy Lynn, Trisha Devlin (Lilly), Teresa Cronin (Eisai), Melody Libby (Biogen), Bonnie Wattles (Hilarity for Charity), Brooks Kenny.
• Multi-Platinum recording artist, celebrated entertainer, multi-instrumentalist, and award-winning singer/songwriter Chris Janson performs.
• Dr. John Penn, Vanderbilt School of Medicine.
• Country singer/songwriter Jackson Dean performs.
• Chris and Dr. Debra Tann onstage with Dr. Ryan Darby, Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
• Lillian Hepler performs.

See more photos from the evening.

To learn more about our work and discover ways to support BrightFocus, visit brightfocus.org.