An Evening in Provence Wine Dinner

259 Newbury Street,Boston MA 02116

12 September, 2021

Description

Exploring the food and wines of Provence, while creating awareness for PANDAS. Join us for an unforgettable evening as we explore the food and wine culture of Provence. Chef Ozzy Rizvi of 1855 Wine Bar will create a three course masterpiece of local dishes from Provence as UWC’s Wine Director, Fotios Stamos, pairs each course with some of the region’s most outstanding wines. Joining us this evening will be our special guests, Susan & Bill Manfull. Susan and Bill created the “À Table!” project to raise awareness of PANDAS – a post-infectious neuroimmune disease triggered by Group A Streptococcal infection. The idea is to bring people to the table to learn more about PANDAS (and a broader disorder called PANS). One of the wines being served at this event is a special red cuvée created by Château Barbebelle for the “À Table!” project. Proceeds from the purchase of “Alex’s wine,” which is graced by the artwork of Provence painter Gérard Isirdi, will go to support research on PANDAS and PANS. The Manfulls lost their only child, Alexandra “Alex” Manfull, three years ago to PANDAS. An autopsy conducted at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) revealed damage in Alex’s brain in a region called the basal ganglia. This is the area where researchers have long focused their attention in their studies to further understand the manifestation of symptoms associated with PANDAS/PANS. But brain tissue from an individual diagnosed with PANDAS had not been available for research until the Manfulls donated Alex’s brain to the Georgetown University Brain Bank within the Georgetown University Medical Center. The Manfulls recently launched The Alex Manfull Fund for Brain Research to support further study of these neuroimmune disorders, particularly in adolescents and young adults. This brain tissue is available to researchers around the globe who are conducting studies to further understand post-infectious neuroimmune diseases. You will have the pleasure of purchasing the Cuvee Madeleine Rouge wine at the end of the dinner. All proceeds from the purchase of the wine will benefit The Alex Manfull Fund for Brain Research.