BETHESDA, Md., Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine has been awarded $50,000 for the David L. Rimoin Memorial Fund from the Los Angeles-based Sports Spectacular organization. This donation will support the David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award as well as provide for genetics training for up-and-coming medical geneticists. The late Dr. David Rimoin was a world-renowned geneticist whose work was supported by the Cedars-Sinai Sports Spectacular from 1986 until his passing in May 2012.

As a visionary, admired teacher, prolific author, mentor, beloved friend, researcher and skilled and caring physician for five decades, Dr. Rimoin touched the lives of generations of patients as well as trainees and colleagues. Dr. Rimoin was also the founding president of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG).

"Dr. David Rimoin was a pioneer in the field of genetics. He broke medical ground and played a key role in the fight against Tay-Sachs disease," said Sports Spectacular's Executive Committee Member, Beth Moskowitz. "Sports Spectacular started 27 years ago when Dr. Rimoin first arrived at Cedars-Sinai. We have been extremely lucky to be part of his research and even more lucky to be part of his life."

In 2005, Dr. Rimoin was recognized by Sports Spectacular in light of his efforts to help fight genetic diseases across the world. Iconic NBA star Kobe Bryant had the honor of introducing Dr. Rimoin and he said, "What Dr. David Rimoin does, he basically does the impossible, things that he has discovered, technology that he has made improvements on were not even thought of just a few years ago and he works at preventing birth defects."

"A donation this significant can make a tremendous difference to our foundation and to the medical genetics and genomics community," said Bruce Korf, MD, PhD, FACMG, President of the ACMG Foundation. "This organization was in many ways David's brainchild and was nurtured by him for 27 years.This gift shows how much people were touched by his work and the importance of inspiring others to follow his path."

The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine has launched a campaign to endow The David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award to include a significant monetary prize. To honor Dr. Rimoin's life and work with a donation to The David L. Rimoin Lifetime Achievement Award in Medical Genetics, individuals and organizations may donate online at http://www.acmgfoundation.org/Rimoin.

The ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine (www.acmgfoundation.org), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is a community of supporters and contributors who understand the importance of medical genetics and genomics and genetic counseling in healthcare. Established in 1992, the ACMG Foundation raises funds to promote the profession of medical genetics and genomics to medical students, to fund the training of future medical geneticists, to support best-practices and tools for practicing physicians and laboratory directors, to promote awareness and understanding of genetics in the general public, and much more.

SOURCE ACMG Foundation for Genetic and Genomic Medicine

See the article here:
LA-Based Sports Spectacular Donates $50,000 to the David L. Rimoin Memorial Fund

Comments are closed.