Guthrie Awards Gala A Huge Success
Honorees Offer Messages of Hope and Achievement
(From Left Bill Johnston, Larry Gies, Dan Grimaldi, Dr. Joseph Jankovic, Nora Guthrie, Billy Bragg, Dr. David Hung, Barbara Boyle and Walt Johnston.)
As the attendees gave a final standing ovation to the distinguished roster of honorees and musicians who had just completed the traditional "This Land Is Your Land Sing-a-Long" that caps off each Guthrie Gala Dinner, they were were filled with feelings of hope and of admiration of the achievements they had been part of during the evening's festivities.
The Guthrie Gala is much more than a fundraiser. It's an annual celebration of the Society's accomplishments, and the recognition of some of the people whose contributions have made a difference to everyone in the HD community.
This year's honorees were a particularly inspirational group, and each moved the crowd with their insights and dedication.
Dr. David Hung (HDSA Corporate Achievement Award) spoke of his excitement as Dimebon has proved (in initial trials) to positively affect cognitive abilities in people with HD, as well as Alzheimer's. He expressed cautious optimism about the steps that need to be taken, and his gratitude to the HD community for their support in this process.
Larry Gies (HDSA National Community Service Award) expressed his admiration for the HDSA researchers that his foundation has helped support, and his confidence in the ability of the unique HDSA "team approach" to research to not only unlock the answers to HD, but to be an example to scientists working on other diseases as well.
Dr. Joseph Jankovic (Guthrie Family Humanitarian Award), who was involved in the development of the HDSA Center of Excellence Program, was honored for his groundbreaking work on Tetrabenazine, the first therapy approved specifically for people with HD. He spoke of the many years of work to bring this drug FDA approval - and how he will continue this work, and his treatment of patients whose lives he has changed.
The most moving speech of the night was made by San Diego Chapter President Bill Johnston (Marjorie Guthrie Leadership Award), who has made that chapter into one of the leading lights of the HDSA world. Bill, who had been surprised earlier by the unexpected appearance of his children Haylen and Jared, as well as his mother, sister and brother-in-law, spoke of his beloved wife Ramona, how his family had come together to support her, and what needed to be done to ensure that there was an end to Huntington's Disease in the near future. Bill's dedication to his wife, and his work on behalf of HDSA were well-detailed in Bill's introduction by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and the owners of the San Diego Chargers, Dean and Susie Spanos. 
(From Left Dean and Susie Spanos, Barbara Boyle, Bill Johnston, Roger Goodell)
Billy Bragg (Woody Guthrie Award) gave a rousing speech, applauding his fellow honorees for their accomplishments and admonishing the crowd to maintain and increase their participation in the work of the Society, and in other causes dear to their hearts. He then sang several Woody Guthrie Tunes, and joined Nora Guthrie, Anna Canoni, the other award winners and Barbara Boyle onstage for the traditional ending sing-a-long, capped off with the traditional "This Land Is Your Land" Finale.
A special thanks to the emcees, Dan Grimaldi and Bill Evans. To date the Guthrie Awards Dinners have raised over $1,500,000 for the HDSA Woody and marjorie Guthrie Research Fund, which has supported the HDSA Coalition for the Cure since its inception.
Nora Guthrie (Center in White Top) leads the traditional This is Your Land Finale