Orlando, Fla. (October 8, 2009) - Today, Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) officially dedicated its new 175,000-square-foot scientific facility and marked the opening of Orlando’s Medical City as a life science center. Burnham at Lake Nona is the research anchor for the new development in southeast Orange County and the east coast campus of the La Jolla, Calif.-based institute.

The opening of the new research facility is projected to have a transformative effect on the region by fostering a medically-focused, knowledge-based economy. Burnham is a catalyst for the Medical City, which is becoming a hub for medical research that will advance scientific discoveries and lead to breakthrough therapies.

“We’ve established a foundation by bringing new expertise to the region and forging strong alliances that will enhance and accelerate scientific opportunities,” said Dr. John Reed, Burnham’s president and CEO. “Burnham’s collaborative approach has been very successful. We have generated research funding that has resulted in significant scientific discoveries. We’re transferring that model to the Lake Nona campus in Orlando, where scientists are conducting translational research in metabolic disorders, heart disease and cancer.”

In addition to Reed, dedication speakers included Florida Governor Charlie Crist; Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer; Orange County Mayor Richard T. Crotty; Rasesh Thakkar, senior managing partner of the Tavistock Group; Malin Burnham, philanthropist and  chairman of Burnham’s Board of Trustees; and Dr. Daniel Kelly, scientific director at Burnham Lake Nona.

Collaborating with clinical institutions is a key element of Burnham’s strategy to move discoveries from bench to bedside more quickly. Partnerships have already been formed with Florida Hospital, the Stedman Center at Duke University Medical Center; M.D. Anderson Cancer Center Orlando; and the University of Central Florida.The day’s festivities also included a formal announcement confirming the University of Florida’s intention to build a research facility at Lake Nona.

“Our continued growth and new partnerships are creating opportunities to make key discoveries across disciplines,” said Dr. Daniel Kelly, scientific director and professor at Burnham Lake Nona. “Coupled with our sophisticated technology and drug discovery platforms, Burnham is poised for developing the innovative therapies of tomorrow.”

The state-of-the-art facility includes an ultra-high throughput screening center, one of only four NIH-funded comprehensive chemical screening centers in the country, complete with three robotic arms capable of conducting more than one million experiments per day. Sophisticated research platforms in genomics and metabolomics will enable scientists to define molecular and genetic “blueprints” of specific diseases. With advanced technologies, highly credentialed scientists and top-tier partnerships, Burnham is forming the foundation for a world-class discovery and translational research center.

People are seeing pink in October for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This year local organizations are doing their part to make a difference by hosting several events designed to raise breast cancer awareness. Two of the biggest events are the Susan G. Komen Central Florida Race for the Cure and the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk of Metro Orlando.

Race for the Cure will be held on October 25 at Bright House Networks Stadium at the University of Central Florida in East Orlando while the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk will take place on October 31 at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando.

Being a part of events like these have been life changing for participants and staffers like Jennifer Bradshaw, executive director of Susan G. Komen Central Florida Affiliate. She participated in her first Race for the Cure as a junior in college before taking a job with the organization. “I was overwhelmed as we walked by all of the pink shirts that said Survivor,” says Bradshaw. “It was something that I was immediately drawn to, wanting to know how I could be more involved and how could I help more women wear the shirt that said Survivor.”

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among American women, excluding skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.

“Cancer is something that has touched my family and me,” said Lisa Bertin-Queena, manager of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk of Metro Orlando. “I never, ever, ever want anybody again to hear the words ‘You have cancer.’”

Both events set out to raise awareness, to celebrate breast cancer survivors and to honor those who have lost their battle against the disease.

As the largest 5k series in the world, the Komen Race for the Cure series has had over a million participants since 2005; and for the Central Florida Affiliate, the Race for the Cure is its largest fundraising event. “Having 8,000 participants on October 25, 2009 will be an achievement for the Central Florida Affiliate because, not only will it be our largest Race for the Cure, but it will also signify that we have 8,000 people in the Central Florida Area all coming together, on the same day, for the same reason-to end breast cancer forever,” said Bradshaw. “That, in itself, is a powerful statement.”

Making Strides also hopes for a large turnout to surpass last year’s 15,000 participant mark, but meeting its fundraising goal has been a challenge with no registration fee or fundraising minimum required. “We are finding ourselves struggling a little bit this year to reach our goal,” said Bertin-Queena. “It really is our volunteers and walkers who bring the money to this event.”

In an added effort to help achieve their goal to raise $630,000, Mystic Dunes Golf Club is hosting the Pink Ribbon Golf Classic on October 9 with proceeds benefiting the walk.

A large percentage of proceeds from both Race for the Cure and Making Strides will stay in the Central Florida community to fund research and aid breast cancer patients. With donations raised at last year’s Race, the Affiliate was able to present 14 non-profit organizations with grants to provide much-needed breast cancer health education and support, mammography, screening, clinical breast exams and diagnostic evaluations, according to Bradshaw.

“Cancer is a disease that touches all over, and one day it could be your family,” said Bertin-Queena. “We don’t ever want to see that happen to anybody, but at the same time we want to be here if it does.”
Article by Aimee Hoyt

East Orlando has a new safety feature located in Avalon Park thanks to the Board of Directors for the Avalon Park Property Owner’s Association. The Security and Safety Center, located in Avalon Park’s Founders Square, is now open and will be used for meetings and briefings by law enforcement personnel as well as private community safety officials. The center has also allocated space for a Victim Service Center outpost.

The center is designed to be a place where residents and law enforcement can come together and coordinate efforts. “Center use will include law enforcement debriefings, Neighborhood Watch programs and meetings, as well as individual usage by police officers,” says Stephanie Hodson, marketing coordinator for Avalon Park Group. Currently staffed by an off duty police officer from 6-7 p.m., residents can call during this hour to ask questions, express concerns or report a problem in their community. The space will include two offices, a full kitchen, living area and conference room downstairs. “I didn’t really know the resource was there, but I’m glad it is,” says Avalon Park resident Michelle Stepinanko. “Anything that can be done to improve safety is a big plus.”

“The second floor is currently occupied by the Victim Service Center,” says Hodson. “Orange County residents who have been a victim of a crime can visit this center for important information and guidance.” The VSC will be staffed by a Victim Advocate Monday through Thursday to offer help and information regarding crisis intervention, safety planning, legal advocacy, therapy and more. “Using the services provided by the Victim Service Center, survivors learn to reduce their anxiety, build and mobilize their personal support networks, and access appropriate community resources with the assistance of highly trained Victim Advocates, like the talented staff at the Security and Safety Center,” says Nicole Quinn, executive director of the Victim Service Center.

“Avalon Park Group is always exploring opportunities to enrich the community, while at the same time, support non-profit organizations in Central Florida,” says Hodson. “This facility is a classic example of a win-win partnership.”

Article by Corey Gehrold

As budgets continue to shrink at the county level, many local businesses have stepped up their efforts to support schools in their surrounding area. One such partnership has flourished between Avalon Park business SOHO Office, formerly SOHO Hero, and Avalon Middle School. This month, SOHO Office is sponsoring their first annual school supply drive for the school.

Jennifer Housewright, owner of SOHO Office and Avalon Park resident, is an avid supporter of Avalon Middle School in addition to being a Partner in Education with them. “I wanted to take the opportunity to organize a school supply drive for the school as a way to give back to the students, teachers and faculty,” she says. “A quality education is so vital for these kids as they grow older, I wanted to do everything possible to give them the chance to succeed.” Housewright is hoping to entice the residents of Avalon Park and the surrounding neighborhoods by using her storefront as a drop-off point for school supplies throughout the month of October while offering a special discount for those who make a purchase while dropping off supplies.

“We’ll be offering a mystery percent off your total purchase when you bring in a donation of school supplies,” says Housewright. “Or, if you choose, you can have the dollar amount that you would’ve saved donated toward school supplies that SOHO Office will purchase and present to Avalon Middle School. The idea, she says, is to offer an incentive to purchase more supplies for the students. “Sometimes donating just isn’t enough, so the percentage off is a way to hopefully get even more residents and businesses on board with the cause,” she says.

All school supplies are welcome during the drive, which ends October 31, 2009. Some items of greatest need are: one to three inch ring notebooks, notebook paper, packs of pencils and colored pencils, non-electric pencil sharpeners, erasers, two pocket folders and white and colored copy paper.

“With the support of the community, we hope that Avalon Middle won’t have to worry about school supplies for a long, long time,” says Housewright.

To donate supplies or to learn more, call SOHO Office at 407.482.0662, visit them online by clicking here or stop by their store located at 3564 Avalon Park Blvd E. Suite 1, Orlando, FL 32828.

Article by Corey Gehrold

University High School is known as a place of education and companionship to its students, but for people in the community it has become a source of volunteers and support. Although it’s a graduation requirement for students to volunteer, there is an abundance of students who have gone above and beyond these requirements.

One award-winning program that University offers is Students Against Destructive Decisions or SADD. According to the Principal Douglas Guthrie, SADD is all about awareness. “SADD is meant to spread awareness of adolescent issues such as substance abuse and violence,” he says. This is an important resource for many students struggling with issues they may not feel comfortable talking to their parents about. Blood drives have also become a staple at the school thanks to Student Government. The Big Red Bus will come to campus allowing students and faculty can donate during school hours. It’s a great help to the community, and gives the students a chance to make a difference without having to travel out of their way.

In collaboration with the University of Central Florida, University High School holds a Hispanic Heritage free concert series. “The series spreads awareness of Hispanic culture by providing free musical performances to the general public,” says Guthrie. One student group has created an unique club known as Cougars Care Sew Much. The club knits and sews blankets and quilts to donate to other organizations in need. This is not only a fun way to pass time to students, but it fills a vital need for many organizations who cater to the less fortunate and homeless.

The students not only help the community, but their fellow schools as well. The Student Government Association and the Drama Department have recently reached out to Riverdale Elementary School to read and act out stories for the younger students on a regular basis.

All the volunteer efforts made by the students are mutually beneficial. “Our students learn the importance of helping others, and by doing so, gain a deeper understanding of the potential that they have and how every contribution counts,” says Guthrie. “Putting their talents and time to use serving others builds self esteem in students, which ultimately keeps them away from negative influences.”

The result is a student body striving to build a better community for past, present and future University High School Cougars.

Article by Stephanie Osman