3rd Annual Mad Scientist Ball for NFFR

The 3rd Annual Mad Scientist Ball was held November 9 at the Four Seasons Hotel with some 300 guests celebrating the innovative fertility research and techniques so that couples can realize their dream of having children.

Emcee Dayle Cedars of 7NEWS welcomed the crowd with an overview of the challenges of fertility and reproductive advances and NFFR’s groundbreaking research. Two large screens featured the Mad Scientist event logo with ballroom tables featuring test tubes and DNA strands.

A brief video presented many success stories featuring physicians and hopeful couples who were able to conceive children through fertility treatments and advances in recent years.

Dr. William Schoolcraft thanked the guests and noted the contributions of physicians, researchers, administrative staff, volunteers and others involved in the 3rd annual NFFR signature event. Live auctioneer  Rick Rolph attracted high bids from the crowd throughout the evening. Rolph and Dr. Jaffe initiated a fun-filled heads or tails contest to narrow down potential nominees for event prizes. Special event speakers included television celebrity couple Guiliana Depandi Rancic and Bill Rancic who have played a crucial role as spokespeople for a disease that affects nearly 1 out of 3 women in the US.

The Rancic Hollywood celebrity couple described their fertility challenges, the birth of their son, Duke, the process over the years and later held a Q&A session with guests.

The non-profit National Foundation for Fertility Research (NFFR) was founded in 2008 by the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine (CCRM ) to pursue research for in vitro fertilization. NFFR is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit research collaborative dedicated to advancing reproductive medicine through groundbreaking research while creating hope for families who struggle with fertility issues.

Present and honored at the event were several so-called ‘Mad Scientists” representing physicians, researchers, embryologists and professional staff dedicated to helping patients achieve their dream of having a baby. An estimated 1 in 6 couples in the US struggle with the disease of infertility so in vitro fertilization (IVF) research is key to achieving those goals.

Founded in 1987 by Dr. William Schoolcraft, CCRM in just a couple of decades has achieved national recognition for clinical excellence and advanced research in the field of reproductive medicine. Led by Dr. Mandy Katz-Jaffe, NFFR has made great strides in seeking answers and solutions to infertility. The proof is reflected in results and scientific research. Most recently, NFFR submitted 11 scientific abstracts to this year’s ASRM conference and all 11 were selected for presentation.

For more information please visit www.fertilityresearch.org or call 303-788-4868.