Ambry Genetics
1 Enterprise
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
ALISO VIEJO, Calif. – October 2, 2012 - Ambry Genetics (“Ambry”), a global leader in genetic services with a focus on clinical diagnostics and genomics, announces that chairman and CEO Charles Dunlop was honored with a “RARE Champion” award at Global Genes Project’s Champions of Hope Gala Event on the evening of Thursday, September 27 in Newport Beach, Calif. Mr. Dunlop and Ambry Genetics were honored for Ambry’s ongoing support of the Mauli Ola Foundation (“Mauli Ola”), a non-profit organization dedicated to alleviating symptoms of cystic fibrosis (CF) in children afflicted with the disorder through surfing.
“This was truly amazing. I was both honored and humbled to accept this award on behalf of the incredible team at Ambry and Mauli Ola,” commented Charles Dunlop. “This honor means so much to us, but the greatest reward is still seeing the joy it’s bringing to kids with cystic fibrosis and their families. The surfing community has really rallied around this cause. Nothing could be more remarkable.”
The award was issued in the Biotech/Industry category at the gala event held at Newport Beach’s Balboa Bay Club & Resort, as part of the first annual RARE Tribute To Champions of Hope from the Global Genes Project. Ambry’s award was presented by Rob Montelone, a schoolteacher from Yorba Linda, Calif. Rob and his wife are the parents of five children, three of whom have CF.
“I was over the moon when I was invited by the Global Genes Project to present this award to Charles and Ambry, because Mauli Ola has been such an amazingly positive force for my family, having truly changed our lives,” said Mr. Montelone. “Mauli Ola’s good work has not only brought joy to my three children with cystic fibrosis; their symptoms have actually been alleviated.”
Corporate sponsors of the event included Pfizer, Shire, Genzyme, Bayer, Goldman Sachs, Genzyme, and Burrill & Company.
“This gala event was such a gratifying experience for a lot of us at Ambry,” said Kelly Gonzalez, M.S., CGG, senior manager of clinical genomics at Ambry, who attended. “We were particularly touched by some of the speeches from parents of children with rare diseases. It is just these types of diseases that we are successfully diagnosing with the Clinical Diagnostic Exome™ and other proprietary diagnostic tests, and it is very gratifying to be able to make a difference in the lives of such children and their parents.”
The Mauli Ola Foundation began as a group of surfers who banded together to introduce surfing as a natural treatment to people with cystic fibrosis. Since 2007, Mauli Ola has taken nearly 1,300 CF patients surfing at nearly 100 Surf Experience Days and has now expanded it’s reach with hospital visits and other activities that touch the lives of kids with cancer and a variety of other health challenges. In 2010, MOF was awarded The Agent of Change Award by SURFER Magazine for its positive contributions and example to the surfing community. More information is at www.mauliola.org.
Global Genes | R.A.R.E. Project is a leading non-profit organization advocating for the roughly 30 million Americans and approximately 350 million people worldwide who are affected by rare and genetic diseases and disorders. In the United States, a disease is considered rare if it affects fewer than 200,000 Americans per disease. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), there are nearly 7,000 such rare diseases and an estimated 95% do not have a single FDA-approved drug treatment.
Ambry Genetics, a subsidiary of REALM IDx, Inc., translates scientific research into clinically actionable test results based upon a deep understanding of the human genome and the biology behind genetic disease. It is a leader in genetic testing that aims to improve health by understanding the relationship between genetics and disease. Its unparalleled track record of discoveries over 25 years, and growing database that continues to expand in collaboration with academic, corporate and pharmaceutical partners, means Ambry Genetics is first to market with innovative products and comprehensive analysis that enable clinicians to confidently inform patient health decisions.
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Mickie Henshall
Chief Marketing Officer
REALM IDx
mhenshall@realmidx.com