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About The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA)
The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA), in partnership with the University of South Florida's Ataxia Research Center (USF ARC), is hosting its second annual FARA Energy Ball on Saturday, August 28th at Tampa's A La Carte Event Pavilion.  The event benefits research for Friedreich's Ataxia (FA), a rare debilitating neuromuscular disease.  In addition to FARA, a portion of funds will be contributed to USF ARC and will be targeted to support research on a broader scope of ataxias.

The FARA Energy Ball will begin with a cocktail reception and silent auction at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a seated five-course dinner and live auction at 8 p.m.  Emcee for the evening is Stacie Schaible of WFLA-TV.  Valet parking is available. 

The nationally acclaimed recording artists "Sister Hazel" will perform at 9:30 p.m.  Known for Southern rock favorites "All for You" and "Change Your Mind," Sister Hazel promises to generate a great deal of energy for a phenomenal evening.

Tickets for the FARA Energy Ball are $250 per person/$500 per couple.  The ticket price includes admission to the Ball and to the interactive scientific symposium hosted by USF Health, titled Cultivating a Cure, at the Marshall Center on the USF main campus the evening of Thursday, August 26. 

"This exciting collaboration between USF ARC and FARA enables our community to lead the way in developing therapies for rare and common diseases.  Now in its second year, the FARA Energy Ball will raise funds that will assist in making great progress to curing Friedreich's Ataxia in the very near term, and provide powerful insights and benefits in other energy deprivation disorders," said Stephen Klasko, MD, MBA, and CEO of USF Health.

The Cultivating a Cure symposium will feature an array of keynote speakers including Dr. Klasko, Dr. Joel Gottesfeld, PhD, Professor, the Department of Molecular Biology of The Scripps Research Institute and Dr. Guy Miller, CEO/Founder of Edison Pharmaceuticals. 

"Dr. Gottesfeld's work holds tremendous promise of real therapeutic benefit for Friedreich's Ataxia patients," said Ron Bartek, president of FARA. "His recent discovery appears to be our only near-term prospect for significantly increasing transcription of the frataxin gene. FARA is pleased to have been able to support this important work."

Sponsorship for the FARA Energy Ball and the Cultivating a Cure interactive symposium levels range from $2,500 - $50,000.  Sponsor packages include the Energy Experience Weekend of the interactive scientific symposium, a co-ed softball game, round robin tennis, the Martinis & Poker Patron Party and the Energy Ball.  Information on sponsorship opportunities and the event can be found at http://www.curefa.org/energyball.

"We remain encouraged by the success of our inaugural FARA Energy Ball in 2009," says Paul Avery, Honorary Chair Council Member.  "In addition to raising over $1 Million, we elevated the awareness level of FA in our community significantly.  It is exciting to be able to share some of the advancements we have seen in research as a result of the generous involvement and contributions of many individuals throughout the country."

About Friedreich's Ataxia (FA)
Friedreich's Ataxia (FA) is a debilitating neuromuscular disease that is caused by a lack of energy production that our cells need for proper function and survival.  Over a short period of time, FA affects muscle coordination and eventually leads to a life altering loss of mobility, energy, speech and hearing, robbing children and young adults of the ability to live an active life.  FA also presents serious risk of diabetes and life shortening cardiac disease.  The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) provides hope for families and individuals affected by this debilitating disease.   Funding is vital in this treatment era, as FARA stewards potential therapies through the final stages of research and into the hands of those affected by the disease

About The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance's (FARA)
The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance's (FARA) mission is to marshal and focus the resources and relationships needed to cure FA by raising funds through research, promoting public awareness and aligning scientists, patients, clinicians, government agencies, pharmaceutical companies and other organizations dedicated to curing FA and related diseases.  http://www.cureFA.org

About University of South Florida's Ataxia Research Center (USF ARC)
The University of South Florida's Ataxia Research Center (USF ARC) is a translational research center focused on developing effective treatments for the ataxias.  The USF ARC is currently spearheading numerous clinical therapeutic trials in both Friedreich's and spinocerebellar ataxia and has partnered with other leading centers, organizations and industries throughout the country to bring promising compounds into human testing. 

About Cultivating A Cure, an Interactive Symposium,
Cultivating a Cure will be hosted by the University of South Florida College of Medicine and  will feature an array of keynote speakers including Dr. Klasko and Dr. Joel Gottesfeld, PhD, Professor, the Department of Molecular Biology of The Scripps Research Institute.  Doctors Klasko and Gottesfeld will be joined by noted experts in the field of Ataxia research including the Chairman and CEO of Edison Pharmaceuticals, Guy Miller, MD, PhD, and USF physicians Theresa Zesiewicz and Clifton Gooch.   Presentation topics will include a FARA Scope of Progress and updates on HDAC Inhibitors and the use of Varenicline in the treatment of Ataxia patients.

Warm Mango Salsa Recipe
Courtesy of Bonefish Grill
Serves 6

Ingredients:
2 firm, fresh mangos
2 tablespoons red bell pepper in 1/4-inch dice
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh garlic
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup red onion, in 1/4-inch dice
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
6 8-ounce grouper filets
Salt and pepper to taste.
2 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Directions:
Peel, seed and cut the fresh mango into 1/4-inch dice. Reserve 1/2 cup diced mango, and place the remainder in a nonreactive bowl. Puree the reserved diced mango in a blender, and add it to the bowl. Add the diced red bell pepper and garlic.

Heat the olive oil in a small sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add diced red onions and cook until tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towel to absorb excess oil. Add to mango mixture. Gently stir in red pepper flakes, corn syrup and sugar. Mix well and reserve in a small sauce pan.

Season grouper filets on both sides with salt and pepper. Cook in a lightly oiled sauté pan over medium-high heat. After 5 minutes, turn fish and continue to cook for another 4 to 5 minutes or until it is cooked to your liking.

Heat mango mixture gently over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chopped scallions and cilantro. Plate fish and garnish with warm mango salsa.