Third Annual ‘Believe in Brady’ Fundraiser to Benefit EB Research Partnership

Touted as the South’s largest fundraiser for epidermolysis bullosa (EB), the third annual Believe in Brady event is set for April 7 in Houston, Texas.

Benefiting the EB Research Partnership (EBRP), the fundraiser will be at Levy Park Conservancy from 4 to 7 p.m. It will include food, live music, a silent auction, and entertainment for youngsters. Last year’s event raised more than $110,000.

All proceeds go to the EBRP to advance new and life-saving therapies for EB, a group of devastating genetic disorders that affect the skin. EB patients lack critical proteins that bind the skin’s layers, often resulting in blisters, open wounds, severe pain, and disfigurement.

Currently, there are no treatments designed specifically for epidermolysis bullosa patients. However, scientists are learning more and more about the disease, leading to several promising treatments. Potential therapies use cells with the correct gene, insert the right gene in the patient’s genome, or simply supply the correct gene in a DNA vector. This site has information about new and emerging treatments.

Adult tickets to Believe in Brady are $75, and $25 for children. Go here to select tickets, donate, or view other support packages.

The event is organized by friends and family of Eileen and Chris Attar, whose 2-year-old son Brady has epidermolysis bullosa. After their boy was born, their parents noticed something was terribly wrong; Brady’s feet were raw and missing skin.

”Shortly after Brady’s birth and diagnosis with EB, we knew we wanted to have an annual event in Houston where we could raise awareness and much-needed research dollars while giving the community an outlet for showing their love and support for Brady and the Attars,” Clayton Johnson, Believe in Brady co-founder, said in a press release.

A statement by the Attars said that, even on their bad days, they never lose hope in young Brady’s future.

”That is because of the EBRP and their passion, motivation and unique vision that we believe will change Brady’s life and the many lives of those who suffer daily from this disease. Not only do we believe that a life-changing treatment will be available in Brady’s lifetime, but also that it would absolutely not be possible without EBRP,” the Attars said.

Through collaboration with other organizations, foundations, and research communities, the research partnership is dedicated to funding investigations aimed at treating and ultimately curing EB, which affects roughly 500,000 individuals worldwide.

”We are honored by the support of the Believe in Brady team,” said Michael Hund, EBRP executive director. “Thanks to their leadership, they join our research, medical, industry, philanthropic and patient communities, all united to rapidly accelerate much-needed treatments for EB.”

”Leading researchers believe that both life-changing treatments and a cure are within reach, and it is dedicated groups like Believe in Brady that will help us reach this goal,” Hund said.