FIELD OF HOPE BennettFit Aims to Establish Endowed Research Fellowship at the Field Neurosciences Institute and Will Feature the Artistry of Dave Bennett

Each year the annual benefit concert & dinner for the Filed Neurosciences Institute (FNI) which is held at the Temple Theatre is undoubtedly one of the premier social events of the Fall Season, bringing together broad segments of our community to enjoy gourmet cuisine and top-flight musical entertainment, while helping support one of the nation’s most cutting-edge medical institutes.

This year the Field of Hope BennettFit will be held on Friday, September 23rd and feature the innovative talent of Dave Bennett. Proceeds will launch the first ever FNI Endowed Research Fellowship, which will target promising neuroscience students who will be able to gain experience and contribute to the research efforts at FNI; and in the process, greatly increase opportunities for medical breakthroughs in the FNI lab in Saginaw.

According to Dr. Malcolm Field, the fellowship will be a perpetual source of support for inspired researchers who possess a passion for neuroscience and a fervent desire to commit their time and energy toward searching for promising new therapies. It will also augment an enduring source of new talent in FNI’s hope and quest to find effective treatment and cures for neurological dysfunction.

Field of Hope BennettFit will begin at 5:30 PM with a bountiful buffet at the beautiful Temple Theatre, followed by the performance of Dave Bennett at 8:00 PM. Supporters will be greeted outside the Theatre by the DooDads, a local group of noted bluegrass musicians.  Sponsorships begin at $125.00 and include the dinner and show; while show only tickets are available for only $50.00 and $30.00 and are available at the Temple Theatre.

Dr. Field states, “We are making significant progress in our research efforts at FNI, and, at the same time, providing world-class opportunities for a new generation of neuroscientists to work on cutting-edge research being conducted in the Great Lakes Bay Region.”

“The establishment of this Fellowship is particularly important because it combines two fundamental components of FNI’s mission – education and research. The future of humanity rests on how well we prepare our young people, and it is vitally important to provide the with first-rate educational opportunities. The new Fellowship will do this. It will also further FNI’s efforts by supporting aspiring young biomedical researchers who will provide much-needed assistance with our current projects, as well as bringing new ideas and energy to our efforts to find new therapies.”

“Over the years, the proceeds from our fundraising events have allowed us to finance critically important surgical equipment, educational materials, scholarship awards and state-of-the-art lab apparatus.”

Dave Bennett is an audience favorite in this region. His exciting style and talent are evident in his frequent appearances in Saginaw including his performance in FNI’s 2010 Field of Hope, Close to Home fundraiser. A self-taught prodigy, Dave’s playing career goes back to age fourteen, when he began frequent tours on the traditional “jazz circuit” with The New Reformation Band.

In addition to touring with his own jazz group, Dave has performed with the Count Basie Orchestra and was the featured guest with Jim Cullum’s Jazz Band heard on two broadcasts on the NPR “Jazz at Riverwalk” series. In 2010, he made his eighth concert appearance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Dave has recorded with three of Benny Goodman’s famous band members: guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, pianist Dick Hyman and vibraphonist Peter Appleyard. All three endorse Dave as “the closest ever to Benny Goodman.” In 2008 Dave made his European debut with these players at the Bern Jazz Festival. Only in his mid-20’s, Dave has already performed with more than twenty orchestras in the U.S. and Canada.

Proceeds from the 2009 and 2010 Field Neurosciences Institute Fall Fundraisers were used to purchase two critically important state-of-the-art research tools—a flow cytometer and an incubator microscope. This equipment has elevated the FNI lab in Saginaw to a new level and has allowed researchers to contribute to innovative breakthrough discoveries that will enhance the therapeutic efficacy of transplanting adult stem cells to treat a host of brain and spinal disorders.

Specifically, the flow cytometer allowed FNI scientists to discover that the number of times the adult stem cells replicate themselves can result in critical changes in the characteristics of the newly-formed cells. With the addition of the new incubator microscope, FNI researchers are now able to test how these changes are occurring in the individual cells. Subsequent research is revealing what might be done to guide the cells to become more effective. These exciting discoveries would not have been possible without the generous support of those who contributed to FNI during the last two years.

For tickets and more information, please call The Temple Theatre at 877-754-7469 or visit www.templetheatre.com