March 22, 2012

"Boy Interrupted" – Educational Event & Fundraiser – Synopsis

Thank you to all who attended our event held on March 11, 2012 to raise public awareness of bipolar disorder and funds to support the Prechter Bipolar Research Fund’s groundbreaking research into this debilitating illness. 

We were very pleased to screen the powerful documentary “Boy Interrupted” and bring filmmaker Dana Perry to Ann Arbor, MI. The feedback from many of the 650 attendees was extremely positive. Those who attended experienced a thought-provoking evening that contributed to reducing stigma and elevating public understanding about those living with bipolar illness and their families.

We exceeded our goal for this event and raised close to $70,000. These funds will be used to pay research participant incentive fees for one year. This incentive is a reimbursement for participation, time and travel. Our flagship research project, the Longitudinal Study of Bipolar Disorder, has 764 participants enrolled to date, with a goal of reaching 2,000. This study provides the foundation and participants for many additional leading-edge multidisciplinary studies.

Again, thank you so much for buying a ticket or becoming a sponsor and for joining us in our efforts to combat bipolar disorder and provide hope to the many people whose lives are affected by brain illnesses.