Alzheimer's Association's 16th Annual Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala Raises $1 Million for Alzheimer Research

Alzheimer's Association
Monday, 12 May 2003

The Alzheimer's Association's 16th Annual Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala raised $1 million for Alzheimer research. The gala was held on Saturday, May 10th at the Civic Opera House drawing nearly 800 guests.
The evening's theme, "The Loves of Carmen," was taken from the 1948 movie starring Rita Hayworth and Glenn Ford. Bankers Life and Casualty Company was the event's premier corporate sponsor.

Actor and Alzheimer's Association National Board Member David Hyde Pierce, best known for the role of Niles Crane on NBC's hit sitcom Frasier, hosted the evening's festivities. Celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck presided over all culinary aspects of the gala.

Honorary chair of the gala was Princess Yasmin Aga Kahn. The event is an annual tribute to her mother, Hollywood legend Rita Hayworth, who died with Alzheimer's disease. Burr Ridge residents Reginald and Gail Garratt were co-chairs.

The gala's medical honoree was renowned researcher Steven T. DeKosky, M.D., director of the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center and professor and chair of the department of neurology at the University of Pittsburgh, recognized for his outstanding contributions to Alzheimer research, and care and advocacy on behalf of those affected by Alzheimer's disease. Linda Mendelson of Chicago, gala steering committee member and a past gala co-chair, was the civic honoree in recognition of her longtime support of the association.

The Civic Opera House was decorated in red and gold to reflect the Spanish theme of the evening. Catering for the gala was provided by Wolfgang Puck Catering and Events, with dance music from The City Lights Orchestra and floral arrangements by Kehoe Designs. Guests were also treated to a special dance performance by Ensemble Espanol.
Live auction items included:

• A private in-home catered dinner for 12 with Wolfgang Puck


• Golfing at The Carnegie Club, Skibo Castle in Scotland


• Dinner for eight in a private car of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company while traveling from Kansas City to Chicago


• Throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at a 2003 Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field


• A pair of 18kt. yellow gold diamond drop earrings (6.9 carats) from Trabert & Hoeffer Jewels

Tickets for the gala began at $500 per person. Since its inception in 1987, the Chicago Rita Hayworth Gala has raised more than $10 million to support Alzheimer research.

The Alzheimer's Association is the premier source of information and support for the 4 million Americans with Alzheimer's disease. Through its national network of chapters, and with the generous support of its corporate sponsors, the association is able to offer a broad range of programs and services for people with the disease, their families and caregivers. The largest private funder of Alzheimer research in the United States, the Association has committed $136 million toward research into the disease. The Rita Hayworth Galas, held annually in Chicago and New York, are the Alzheimer's Association's signature fund-raising events.

For more information, or to contact Alzheimer's Association, see their website at: www.alz.org