NEW YORK CITY’S RENOWNED PHILANTHROPISTS AND CORPORATE LEADERS HONORED FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO RESEARCH ON AGING AND DISEASES OF AGING FILLING THE GAP IN FUNDING OF THE NATION’S SCIENTISTS AUCTION MERGES ART AND SCIENCE

Baltimore, MD - October 5, 2009 – The American Federation for Aging Research (AFAR) will honor John C. Whitehead, former Co-Chairman of Goldman Sachs & Co., Husseini Manji, MD, Global Head of Neuroscience at Johnson & Johnson, John C. Erickson, Chairman and Founder of Erickson Retirement Communities, the late Fredric B. Garonzik, a former Partner at Goldman Sachs, and leaders in the scientific community on October 5, 2009 for their commitment to the field of aging research. The awards dinner will be held at New York City ’s Union Club and will raise money to fund the nation’s scientists who are conducting research on aging processes and age-related diseases.

John C. Erickson, Chairman and Founder of Erickson Retirement Communities, is also being recognized for his commitment to changing public perception of aging through the creation of a new model of active retirement communities and through his efforts to prepare a community of leaders to improve and enhance the lives of older adults.

A recognized expert and pioneer in aging, Erickson built his 30-year career around health care and the issues that matter most to this group.  As one of The Wall St. Journal’s “12 People Who Are Changing Your Retirement,” his institutional knowledge affords him with a powerful and unparalleled insight into the aging demographic.

“We are grateful for the support of these individuals,” said Stephanie Lederman, Executive Director, AFAR. “Each of them helps support key areas of aging research from basic research on aging processes to the clinical, all of which will be needed to prevent and cure the diseases of aging and care for a growing aging population,” she added.

The scientific leaders who will be honored include: Robert N. Butler, MD, President and CEO of the International Longevity Center, Woodring E. Wright, MD, PhD, Professor of Cell Biology at the UT Southwestern Medical Center, and Brian K. Kennedy, PhD, Associate Professor at the University of Washington.

Fredric B. Garonzik was a leading philanthropist who dedicated his life to supporting medical and scientific research and educational causes. John C. Whitehead has been an ambassador for international causes, medical and scientific research, and efforts to rebuild lower Manhattan after September 11th. Dr. Husseini Manji and Johnson & Johnson are being honored for their research efforts in advancing human health.

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