ABOUT BSF

Lauri & Richard Gladstein founded BLOOM'S SYNDROME FOUNDATION in 2004 shortly after learning that their son Milo was diagnosed with the disorder.

Bloom's Syndrome is a very rare inherited genetic disorder, caused by a gene that does not function properly. This creates an unusually high number of breaks or instability along their chromosomes (the structures in the cells of our body that contain our hereditary material - called DNA). This instability causes short stature, immune system deficiencies leading to frequent respiratory and bronchial infections, patchy facial skin colorations, sensitivity to sunlight, sterility, and worst of all, an extraordinarily high risk to develop many cancers and leukemia, at early ages.

Bloom's Syndrome is most common in Jews of Eastern European decent - (Ashkenazi Jews) - and therefore is often classified as a Jewish Genetic Disease.

The Foundation's goal is to fund research aiming at the development of a therapy for Bloom's Syndrome and the prevention of its complications, primarily the significant risk of developing cancers at early ages.

Our foundation seeks financial assistance from institutions and individuals. Approximately 95% of all funds raised by the BSF go directly to the scientific grants that we fund. Our overhead is minimal. Please see BSF Scientific Research on this website to read about the grants we are funding.

Dr. James German and Dr. Maureen Sanz recently created a website to share information about their Bloom's Syndrome Registry. The Registry continues to conduct scientific research and organize data from their many years studying the disorder and meeting with individuals with Bloom's Syndrome. Please see http://med.cornell.edu/bsr.


UPCOMING FUNDRAISING EVENTS

Future events will be announced soon!


PAST FUNDRAISING EVENTS

In August 2006, NATALIE PORTMAN hosted an online auction through the innovative charity CLOTHES OFF OUR BACK. This auction consisted of Natalie's rare and autographed memorabilia from "Star Wars" and a gown she wore to a special event. Others personal items were contributed to the auction by John Travolta, Brad Pitt, Russell Crowe, Jennifer Aniston, Courtney Cox-Arquette, Matthew McConaughey, John Cuzack, Jason Bateman, Susan Sarandon, Scarlett Johansson, Julianna Margulies, Kirsten Dunst, Ben Stiller, Quentin Tarantino, and the casts of "Scrubs" and "Grey's Anatomy" and "Ocean's 13".

100% of the proceeds from the auction went to the Bloom's Syndrome Foundation. For more information about the auction, please go to: www.clothesoffourback.org.

Read about NATALIE PORTMAN and the auction in PEOPLE MAGAZINE (Sept. 4, 2006 issue)
Click here to read the article






The inaugural event and fundraiser for the foundation was the Los Angeles premiere of the film FINDING NEVERLAND, starring Johnny Depp, Kate Winslet and Dustin Hoffman, and produced by Bloom's Syndrome Foundation founder Richard Gladstein. 1,100 people, including the cast of the film attended the screening and dinner reception, held at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in November of 2004. The event raised over $200,000 for Bloom's Syndrome Foundation, all of which went directly to the foundation, as the key sponsors (Miramax Films, Coors Light, and Kodak) paid 100% of events expenses.

FINDING NEVERLAND was released in theatres two weeks after the event, and went on to critical and commercial acclaim garnering seven Academy Award nominations, including one for "Best Picture" of the year.






FOUNDERS

In addition to Lauri and Richard Gladstein, the foundation's founding Board Members include:

James L. German III, M.D.
Professor, Department of Pediatrics
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
1300 York Avenue New York, NY 10021

Eberhard Passarge, M.D.
Emeritus Director, Department of Human Genetics,
University of Essen School of Medicine
Universitätsklinikum Essen
Hufelandstr. 55
D-45122 Essen, Germanyy

David L. Rimoin, M.D., PhD.
Director, Medical Genetics Institute
Stephen Spielberg Chair
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Professor of Pediatrics, Medicine and Human Genetics
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
8700 Beverly Blvd. Suite 665W
Los Angeles, CA 90048


CONTACT/DONATIONS

Donations and correspondence may be directed to:

Bloom's Syndrome Foundation
7095 Hollywood Blvd. #583
Los Angeles, CA 90028

E-mail correspondence may be directed to: info@bloomssyndrome.org

BLOOM'S SYNDROME FOUNDATION is a 501-(c)-(3) not-for-profit organization and contributions are 100% tax deductible. The FEIN number is 20-0914700.

Jewish Genetic Disease Consortium Member