OKLAHOMA CITY, June 22, 2006 – For Denise Brewer, the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation is much more than her employer.

“I’ve found my home at OMRF,” said Brewer, an executive assistant in OMRF’s cardiovascular biology research program. “When I hear that one of our scientists has found a little piece of the puzzle to help solve a human disease, I want to stand up and cheer.”

Brewer has given 21 years of her life to providing administrative support to scientists at the Oklahoma City biomedical research facility. And this month, she gave more: She was one of approximately 100 foundation employees who made a gift or pledge to kick off OMRF’s employee fund-raising campaign.

In total, workers donated more than $85,000 on the first day of the campaign, which is part of OMRF’s 60th birthday celebration. Proceeds will go to support biomedical research, educational programs and building improvements at OMRF.

“Not only do OMRF employees spend 40-plus hours a week working to find treatments and cures for human disease, but they also open their own wallets to fund that research,” said Steve Blair, OMRF’s vice president for institutional advancement. “It’s an incredible testament to our staff members and their belief in OMRF’s mission. They realize that being a part of this organization means more than just earning a paycheck.”

The campaign, which was organized by OMRF employees, has a goal of $100,000 and 100 percent participation from OMRF’s 500-plus staff members. The fund-raising effort runs through Sept. 7 and is part of OMRF’s ongoing $100 million Imagine Campaign, which was launched last year to recruit new scientists, build educational programs, improve OMRF facilities and increase the foundation’s endowment.

“I love being able to tell people about the world-class research we do here and how it is impacting real people,” said Brewer. “My mother has deep-vein thrombosis, my brother-in-law suffered a stroke, and I have arthritis. Here at OMRF, we’re working on all of those things.”

About OMRF:
Celebrating its 60th birthday in 2006, OMRF (www.omrf.org) is a nonprofit biomedical research institute dedicated to understanding and curing human disease. Its scientists focus on such critical research areas as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, lupus and cardiovascular disease. It is home to Oklahoma’s only member of the National Academy of Sciences.