Press release:
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. June 2014 – For more than 25 years, Jerry and Cheri Hennessy and their family have supported the Cystic Fibrosis cause, helping to raise millions of dollars for research to find a cure. Now, Pipeline to a Cure will honor the Hennessy family for the positive impact they have had on CF families.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s 7th Annual Pipeline to a Cure gala will be presented by Variant Commercial Real Estate, on Saturday, July 19, 2014 at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa in Huntington Beach, Calif.
“The Hennessy’s have committed to finding a cure for CF for nearly three decades. Their unwavering support for a cause that touches their hearts, but not their family, is testament to their humanity, kindness and giving spirit,” said Paul Motenko, president of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Orange County Chapter.
A co-founder of BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. who helped build the chain to an industry powerhouse with more than 100 locations, Jerry Hennessy is now co-founder and co-CEO of STACKED:Food Well Built. Jerry and his wife Cheri raised their three kids JJ, Hannah and Sean in Yorba Linda and have been active in numerous other community organizations. A lifelong surfer, Jerry is also a founding member of the Pipeline to a Cure committee.
On July 19thth the Hennessy family will be joined by legendary watermen Laird Hamilton and Dave Kalama, Jamie Mitchell, other athletes, musicians and surf industry giants who will gather to celebrate the healthful connection between surfing and cystic fibrosis.
Pipeline to a Cure’s presenting sponsor Variant Commercial Real Estate is a leading commercial real estate investment firm that specializes in restoring distressed assets, particularly multi-family apartments. The company is actively expanding its business portfolio throughout Texas and the Southwest and into Southern California.
“Our mission is to improve the lives of families by giving them a better place to live, and we are excited to be part of Pipeline to a Cure and help improve the lives of those with Cystic Fibrosis,” said Mike Bernstein, President at Variant Commercial Real Estate.
Pipeline to a Cure celebrates the discovery that cystic fibrosis children who surfed had significantly healthier lungs. Australian researchers determined that inhaling saltwater mist has a powerful effect on rehydrating the lining of the lungs, which allows cystic fibrosis patients to more easily eliminate bacteria-contaminated mucus. This discovery led to the development of hypertonic saline solution, which cystic fibrosis patients around the world now inhale every day. In essence, cystic fibrosis patients now mimic a “surf session” on a daily basis.
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States (70,000 worldwide). A defective gene and its protein product cause the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung infections, and obstructs the pancreas and stops natural enzymes from helping the body break down and absorb food.
With no public funding, funds raised from the private sector provide a tremendous and critical lifeline to the more than 70,000 children around the world with cystic fibrosis. The last three events attracted a groundswell of support from the business and surf communities. Current and past sponsors in addition to Variant, include Wahoo’s Fish Taco, LAcarGUY, American Airlines, Coast Benefit Consultants, BJ’s Restaurants, Nick Alexander Imports, Kaiser Permanente, Crown Imports (Pacifico), Quiksilver, Volcom, HB Surf School, Newport Surf Camp, Coca-Cola, Raj Manufacturing, TOMS, Kid Creature, Modern Health, CBS Sports, Health Management Services, Newport Beach Aquatic Center, Quikblade, Surf Industry Manufacturers Association, Skilled Pharmacy, Smart & Final, Time & Alarm Systems, Rutan & Tucker and KROQ.
The Pipeline gala begins at 6pm for cocktails and silent auction, dinner and live auction program begin at 7:30 pm. Tickets for the event are $350. Table and other sponsorships are available. For more information about Pipeline to a Cure or the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, please call (714) 938-1393 or visit www.pipelinetoacure.com or www.cff.org.
About Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The mission of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a nonprofit donor-supported organization, is to assure the development of the means to cure and control cystic fibrosis and to improve the quality of life for those with the disease. The Foundation is the leading organization in the United States devoted to cystic fibrosis. It funds and accredits more than 115 CF care centers, 95 adult care programs and 50 affiliate programs, and has 80 chapters and branch offices nationwide.
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is one of the most efficient organizations of its kind. It has received a four-star rating for sound fiscal management from Charity Navigator, the largest independent charity evaluator in the United States and is an accredited charity of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. The Foundation’s business model has been recognized by the National Institutes of Health and by publications such as Forbes, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and BusinessWeek.
About Variant Commercial Real Estate
Variant Commercial Real Estate (VCRE) is a leading real estate investment firm that focuses on opportunistic commercial acquisitions in multifamily, self-storage, hospitality, and office assets. Through strategic capital improvements and property operations enhancement, Variant’s model combines strategic refinance, property improvement, and liquidation to enhance the value of its portfolio. The growth of Variant’s portfolio is built around the execution of disciplined investment parameters and diversified target markets across the Sun Belt and into the Northwest. Variant currently has approximately $380 million in assets under management spread across the continental United States.
