Skip Rimsza says contributions to non-profit TGen help advance
global health
PHOENIX, Ariz. - Oct. 27, 2009 - Former Phoenix Mayor Skip Rimsza,
who helped attract the Translational Genomics Research Institute
(TGen) to Arizona, will lead an effort by the TGen Foundation aimed
at providing long-term funding for TGen's cutting-edge research
programs.
The TGen Foundation's Board of Directors today named Rimsza the
Chairman of the Foundation's Legacy Society, through which he is
expected to engage the many individuals whose past support has made
TGen a major international biomedical research institute.
Rimsza played a leadership role in the 2002 effort to assure that
TGen came to Arizona, and they led the way in building TGen's
state-of-the-art headquarters at the center of Phoenix's downtown
Biomedical Campus.
Rimsza emphasized that TGen is unique within the sphere of Valley
non-profit organizations: "TGen is so special because every day
they are making scientific advancements and changing the face of
human health, not only locally, but around the world."
Because TGen's findings are made public, Rimsza said, its research
discoveries are shared with other scientists across the globe in an
effort to conquer diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's and diabetes
that plague humankind.
"TGen has proven to be an extraordinary charitable investment for
the thousands of contributors who have supported its many
programs,'' Rimsza said. "Those who have been committed to TGen
have come to realize that their investment in TGen's cutting-edge
research to find cures for a broad range of disease is also an
investment in the economic future of Arizona, as evidenced by the
recent economic impact report."
A report released Sept. 29 by the independent research firm Tripp
Umbach showed that TGen provides Arizona with an annual total
economic impact of $77.4 million. The report predicted that TGen's
impact would grow to $321 million annually by 2025.
Bennett Dorrance, the TGen Foundation's Board Chairman, praised the
board's selection of the former Phoenix leader: "Mayor Rimsza has
been one of TGen's biggest advocates since the start, and it is
only fitting that he will lead the effort to insure TGen's lasting
legacy."
TGen Foundation President Michael Bassoff said that Rimsza's
leadership of the Legacy Society would precipitate tremendous
community support for TGen: "Mayor Rimsza's strong leadership
skills and his broad range of experiences enable him to engage the
financial and legal professionals, and to provide additional
leadership to TGen's development program. His involvement will help
expand the public's awareness of TGen and communicate the
advantages of contributing to the institute's scientific research.
In creating TGen's Legacy Society, Mayor Rimsza will be galvanizing
the support of advocates and ambassadors who wish to create a
legacy not only for themselves, but also for TGen."
Among Rimsza's many accomplishments, he was elected three times to
serve as Phoenix's 50th and longest-serving mayor (1994-2004).
Rimsza, whose family has contributed to TGen for years, was a
founding member of the TGen Board of Directors, and subsequently
became a founding member of the TGen Foundation Board. The
Foundation was established in 2004 to insure long-term community
involvement and financial support for TGen's mission.
Rimsza will develop a broad range of special opportunities and
activities for members of the Legacy Society. For more information
about TGen and the Legacy Society, please contact TGen Foundation
Associate Vice President Denise A. McClintic, J.D., LL.M., at
602-343-8611.
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About TGen
The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) is a Phoenix,
Arizona-based non-profit organization dedicated to conducting
groundbreaking research with life changing results. Research at
TGen is focused on helping patients with diseases such as cancer,
neurological disorders and diabetes. TGen is on the cutting edge of
translational research where investigators are able to unravel the
genetic components of common and complex diseases. Working with
collaborators in the scientific and medical communities, TGen
believes it can make a substantial contribution to the efficiency
and effectiveness of the translational process. TGen is affiliated
with the Van Andel Research Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
For more information, please visit: www.tgen.org.
Press Contact:
Steve Yozwiak
Senior Science Writer
602-343-8704
[email protected]