NYU Langone Health raised more than $5.1 million at its annual Finding A Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures (FACES) Gala to fund epilepsy research and the advancement of new therapies. Held on March 4, 2019, at Pier Sixty at Chelsea Piers, longtime FACES supporters Ulrika and Joel Citron and Lori and Stewart Karger chaired this year’s gala. Emmy-nominated actress Ellie Kemper served as the Master of Ceremonies.

Shawna and Michael Camilleri, whose son was born with a debilitating rare genetic disease called microcephaly-capillary malformation syndrome, were honored at the event. “We are thrilled to honor Shawna and Michael Camilleri, who have turned an impossibly difficult situation and the most unimaginable loss into a story of strength, courage, gratitude, and hope,” said Orrin Devinsky, MD, professor of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry, founder of FACES, and director of NYU Langone’s Comprehensive Epilepsy Center. “Shawna honored their son’s memory by completing her first marathon in New York City this year, and raising over $25,000 for FACES.” The event also featured a performance by Hamilton’s Miguel Cervantes.

A live auction was held at the event, conducted by C. Hugh Hildesley, executive vice president at Sotheby’s America. Popular auction prizes included tickets to walk-on or set visits to Billions and This Is Us, Nakazawa and Empellon in-home dinners, and hundreds more. Allyson and Andrew Wiener and Danielle and Tom Walker served as auction chairs.

Leah and Michael Weisberg served as the FACES Gala underwriters. Special guests in attendance included Katie and Todd Boehly, Anna and Alex Borgognone, Michelle Brilliant and Robert Hougie, Susan Block Casdin and Alex Casdin, Donna Emma, Angela Howard and Matt Stone, Naeem Khan and Jot Sandhu, Sheila and Bill Lambert, Xiaohong Sang and Warren Lammert, Randi and Jeffrey Levine, Kelly and Michael Myers, Amy Pollner Moritz and Peter Schnall, Kate Cooney Picco, Mary Quick, Ginny and Steven Spiegel, Susan and David Swinghamer, Miranda and Lucas van Praag, Barbara and Joe Walsh, and Leah and Michael Weisberg.

Proceeds from FACES events are used to create and maintain several patient and educational programs, as well as a diverse range of research projects including new drug development, the genetics of epilepsy, and sudden unexplained death in epilepsy.

Media Inquiries

Kate Malenczak
Phone: 646-754-7367
kate.malenczak@nyulangone.org