By: Kay Renz
BOCA RATON – Boca Raton resident Catherine Abbott-Horowitz spent months suffering from an array of neurological problems before she was diagnosed with a rare, little known but always fatal malady called Battten Disease.
One of the first things she did was set up a nonprofit organization to help find a cure. The group has scheduled the first annual golf fundraiser for Catherine’s Hope for a Cure” for Saturday, May 5 at the Ocean Breeze Country Club in Boca Raton. Tickets are $121 and include the golf game, breakfast, lunch, a month-long membership to Ocean Breeze and more.
Batten Disease is a progressive, always fatal neurodegenerative condition for which there is no cure. Upon learning of her diagnosis, Catherine was determined to help others around the world by starting a 501(c) 3 that would fund critical research being done by Massachusetts General Hospital and University College London.
So far, she said, she has already raised more than $100,000 from her grassroots efforts, and she hopes this golf tournament will bring a greater awareness about a disease that is often misdiagnosed.
“We are so grateful to Catherine’s Hope for a Cure,” said Katherine Sims M.D., professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School. “Research funding is critical to help us develop better treatments and someday find a cure for Batten disease. Through this charity, we are able to get the seed money required to help us continue our scientific studies.”
“Catherine endured a long, difficult journey to find the reason behind her debilitating symptoms. And while we do not have a cure yet, we hope, like her, that with fundraising efforts we will make that breakthrough soon,” said Dr. Sims.
“This charity has become my mission,” said Abbott-Horowitz. “I feel confident that if I dedicate myself to raising awareness and funds that one day through these wonderful doctors’ dedication, there will be a cure. This golf tournament is the first public event for the charity and I am so grateful for the tremendous support I am receiving from the community, especially from my friends at the Boca Raton Alumni Association.”
The association is made up of graduates from all the high schools within the city of Boca Raton. Their goal is to enhance the educational experience of local students at all levels though community service projects, fundraising and educational awareness events.
“While the Alumni Association’s main function is to provide social and financial support to former/current students who strive to achieve higher learning, we are a family of former students who will do anything to support each other in our important endeavors,” said Todd Victor, the association’s president. “Many of us are high school friends of Catherine’s and when we heard of her illness, we could not wait to help her with this tournament.”
“We created this event to be fun for golfers and wanna-be golfers alike,” said event organizer Karrie Wilson-Lauro. “Our main goal is to have people come out and have a great time!
To find out more about the tournament, to become a sponsor, or to learn more about Batten Disease, visit www.catherineshopeforacure.org