Cure Within Reach Gala
About the Gala
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Cure Within Reach Gala, a premier event dedicated to advancing research, advocacy, and care for individuals affected by MPS. Hosted at the prestigious Carolina Club in Chapel Hill, NC, this special night will bring together supporters, advocates, and leading experts in the field to fuel hope and progress.
Guests will enjoy an elegant cocktail reception, dinner, and both live and silent auctions, as well as an inspiring keynote address by Mark Dant. Proceeds from this event will directly support Project Alive and the Muenzer MPS Research and Treatment Center, helping to fund cutting-edge research, critical advocacy efforts, clinical care advancements, and essential support services for MPS families.
Together, we are bringing a cure within reach.
Keynote Speaker
We’re thrilled to announce that Mark Dant, Founder of The Ryan Foundation and rare disease trailblazer, will be the keynote speaker at the Cure Within Reach Gala.
From a bake sale to global impact, Mark’s family journey led to the development of the first treatment for MPS I—changing lives around the world. His son, Ryan, is the longest MPS I ERT treated person in the world. His inspiring advocacy has shaped public policy, research, and hope for rare disease families everywhere.
Mark Dant is the former Board Chair of the DC based EveryLife Foundation for Rare Diseases, a science-based advocacy organization dedicated to accelerating biotech innovations for rare disease treatments through science-driven public policy. Mark is also the founder and Executive Director of the Ryan Foundation and former President and CEO of the National MPS Society. Mark’s family’s journey has been documented on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, Biography Magazine, Readers Digest in 13 languages around the world, Golf Digest, and numerous news outlets globally.
Opening Speaker
Laura King Edwards is a lifelong writer, dynamic public speaker, accomplished runner and passionate rare disease advocate. She is the author of the memoir Run to the Light and numerous essays and short stories.
Laura was named one of Charlotte’s 50 Most Influential Women in 2019, winning Woman of the Year. She has been nominated for the Global Genes RARE Champion of Hope award for her outstanding contributions to the rare disease community. Laura is the former featured columnist for Batten Disease News.
She co-founded Taylor’s Tale, a nonprofit organization named for her late sister. Taylor’s Tale is recognized around the world for its accomplishments in the fight against CLN1 disease and other rare diseases. In 2017, her TED talk, Running Toward Rare, captivated an audience of more than 1,100 at TEDxCharlotte. She has run almost 60 half marathons, three of them blindfolded. She is the subject of a forthcoming documentary film, “Blind Momentum.” By day, Laura is marketing communications director at a leading technology-driven healthcare improvement company.
Laura is a graduate of UNC Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s in English and a minor in creative writing. She lives in Fort Mill, South Carolina.
Date & Time
May 3, 2025
5:00-11:00 pm
Location
Carolina Club
150 Stadium Drive, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Parking is available at the Ram's Head Parking Garage at 330 Ridge Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 from 4:30-10:30 pm.
Dress Code
Black tie optional.
Tickets
Tickets are available in both single admission and tables of 8. Tickets include a cocktail reception and a gourmet dinner for each guest.
- Single Ticket - $250
- Table of 8 - $2,000
Speakers
