It’s Derby Time
April 30th, 2007
The tulips are in bloom at Churchill Downs, wide-brimmed hats have cropped up in stores, wait staff are training for the Run for the Rosé and Queen Elizabeth has confirmed her attendance at the 133rd Kentucky Derby, May 5.
It’s Derby time in Louisville. Soon people will arrive from around the world to watch one of the world’s most famous horse races. But this time of year not only is a big deal in thoroughbred racing — it also is a big deal to the University of Louisville.
Barnstable Brown Gala supports diabetes research
Since 1998, half of proceeds from the Barnstable Brown Gala — Louisville’s original and most exclusive, celebrity-filled Derby Eve party — have gone toward diabetes research at UofL. The other half supports diabetes research at the University of Kentucky.
Diabetes is of particular concern to party organizer Patricia Barnstable-Brown, whose late husband suffered from the disease. She and her twin sister, Priscilla Barnstable, and mother, Willie Barnstable, founded this invitation-only event in the early 1990s.
Since then, theirs has been the party people beg to attend — and the one where those not fortunate enough to be invited gather at the driveway to watch celebrities arrive.
Total UofL support from the gala is $841,000 — plus $750,000 in state matching money from the state’s Research Challenge Trust Fund (“Bucks for Brains”) program. The money created the Barnstable-Brown Gala Chair in Diabetes Research in the School of Medicine, a post researcher Thomas Mitchell holds, and funded a diabetes research endowment.
To honor the family’s commitment to health research, last year the university dedicated the Barnstable Brown Research Laboratory, which is part of UofL’s Institute for Cellular Therapeutics.
“The Barnstable Brown family has been incredible boosters for diabetes research, and we are convinced their outstanding support will help lead to a cure,” said UofL President James Ramsey.
Derby Festival supports kids with autism
Most people from Louisville know the Derby Festival as the creator of the Pegasus Pin and mastermind behind two weeks’ of Derby-related events. Derby Festival also has founded the nonprofit Kentucky Derby Festival Foundation to support local charities and organizations.
This year the foundation gave $30,000 to help children with autism. That gift will fund a part-time speech therapist at UofL’s STAR program (Systematic Treatment of Autism and Related Disorders). As part of the university’s Weisskopf Child Evaluation Center, it provides clinical services to children, training for parents and teachers, and research.
Mint Jubilee funds cancer research
What started more than 10 years ago with 250 guests has become a popular Derby Eve event that last year drew more than 1,500 people to mingle with the celebrities, including jockeys riding in the Kentucky Derby.
The Mint Jubilee Gala, a black-tie event presented by Southern Wine & Spirits, benefits three organizations, including UofL’s James Graham Brown Cancer Center. Other beneficiaries are the Gilda’s Club Louisville and the Permanently Disabled Jockey’s Fund. Gilda’s Club Louisville will provide a place to offer support, networking groups, lectures, workshops and social events to people with cancer in a home-like setting.
