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2010 CT Reception at Dressing Room

October 25, 2010

On a beautiful fall Monday evening in October, famed chef and restaurateur Michel Nischan graciously opened the doors of his Westport, CT establishment, Dressing Room for an invitation-only cultivation event for the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation.

Traditionally, Dressing Room, adjacent to the Westport County Playhouse, “goes dark” on Mondays.  For this special occasion, Michel hosted 40 attendees, who came to partake of his marvelous hors d’oeuvres, sip some excellent wines, and most importantly, listen to Dr. Norma Kenyon of the Diabetes Research Institute.  Dr. Kenyon, who has a wonderful way of explaining complex research in terms that a layperson can understand, has a very special reason for wanting to find a cure for diabetes now; namely, her own daughter, Laura, who developed type 1 diabetes as a baby.  After Dr. Kenyon spoke about the latest advances in diabetes research, she took questions from the audience.

Kudos to Lori and Michel Nischan and their terrific family for hosting this reception, which brought the DRI Foundation many new friends.  Michel is well-known as a sustainable food advocate and CEO of Wholesome Wave Foundation Charitable Ventures, Incorporated, which promotes access by the underserved to healthy, fresh, and affordable locally grown food.  Michel was honored in May by the DRI Foundation at the Fifth Annual D.R.E.a.M.S. in the city event.  He received the “Dare to Dream” award in recognition of his commitment to eradicating diabetes.  In his remarks on Monday evening, he underscored that any family potentially can be affected by diabetes, and that we should not wait until it happens to us to support the search for a cure.  Lori and Michel have two children with type 1 and the entire Nischan family has become ardent supporters of the DRI.

Warmest thanks to DRIF Northeast board members Diane Cohen and Samantha Shanken Baker and to Erica Newman of Connecticut, for organizing this reception.  Erica, who has a child with type 1 diabetes, concluded the evening’s remarks by thanking Dr. Kenyon for doing what all parents of type 1 children wish they could do.   Erica supports the DRI because of its singular focus on finding a cure through its translational research approach and collaborations across scientific disciplines.