DONORS REFLEC T ON A TUMULTUOUS YEAR
FUNDING THE FUTURE OF BIOMEDICAL BREAKTHROUGHS SINCE
its inception in 1941, donors have been indispensable in the success of Texas Biomedical Research Institute. Supporters come in all forms, from groups of women to young professionals to business leaders. As an independent, nonprofit scientific facility, Texas Biomed is honored by the generosity of donors in 2020. So many people found a way to step up personally and through their companies to help get our local and global communities through the most trying time in recent history. While highlighting just a few individuals here, there are thousands of people to be thanked for their generosity and support this past year, and we will be creating a new Thank You section on our website in the coming months. So please visit www.txbiomed.org/supportus in the weeks ahead to see who is a part of the Texas Biomed family and thus a part of history.
Griffin’s favorite event each year is called Dining and Discourse. Attendees sit at a dinner table with eight or nine people and converse one-on-one with researchers. “It’s important and impactful to have personal, engaging conversations with scientists who are on the front lines of finding treatments and cures for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases,” Griffin said. “Texas Biomed is such a unique organization.”
JAMES GRIFFIN FOUNDER’S COUNCIL San Antonio attorney James Griffin was at the helm of the Founder’s Council in 2020. Having been involved in the young professionals’ group for a decade, he served on the board before becoming president. “I jokingly tell prospective members this is the best deal in town,” Griffin said. “There are different levels of membership, you get luncheons at The Argyle with a great meal, unique events and education programs, and you meet all kinds of people in the community.” Membership levels range from $150 for an individual to $1,500 for a corporate membership.
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Many of the traditional in-person events were canceled when the pandemic shutdown started in earnest in March of 2020. “It was terrifying at first,” Griffin recalled. “These events are key, a big part of what makes the Founder’s Council special. Without those, I didn’t think we had anything.” Jumping to virtual events was a challenge. With infectious disease making headlines all over the world, interest and engagement remained high. “Texas Biomed President & CEO Dr. Larry Schlesinger spoke at every single virtual event,” Griffin said. “We had the huge advantage of talking about something incredibly timely, something