Miami, FL (July 26, 2005) — The Florida Association of Furniture Manufacturers (FAFM) has granted its largest charitable gift, to date, to the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI) at the Leonard M. Miller School of Medicine.
The $25,000 donation, presented at the Institute July 19th, was the result of a long-time FAFM member’s hope for a diabetes cure. “We felt we should investigate some avenues for supporting Florida organizations that need public assistance and are worthy of the disposition of our funds,” said FAFM President Dan Kamis. “One of our trustees, Camilo Lopez, Jr., introduced us to the DRI, and we unanimously decided to make it the first of four charities we will gift this year.”
Camilo Lopez, Jr., owner of Miami-based, multi-generation family business, Camilo Office Furniture, has been a member of FAFM for more than 30 years. He became involved with the DRI nearly that long ago when his son, Dr. Jose Lopez, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 18.
“For years I have been talking about this great cause, so the board didn’t even have to discuss my proposal,” Lopez said. “I know that everyone at the DRI is working very, very hard to obtain a diabetes cure.”
Members of FAFM who visited the DRI to make the check presentation and tour the facility included: President, Dan Kamis of Dixie Bedding; Vice President, Stan Ferber of Florida Manufacturing & Distributing; Treasurer, Phil Schneiderman of Laundrotech; Trustee, Nathan Konigsberg; Trustee, Camilo Lopez, Jr., and Camilo Lopez, III, both of Camilo Office Furniture.
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About Florida Association of Furniture Manufacturers
The Florida Association of Furniture Manufacturers, founded in 1952, is a not-for-profit corporation composed of Florida Companies engaged in the manufacturing of furniture, lighting, bedding and accessories. FAFM co-sponsors two regional Florida furniture and accessory markets during the winter and summer in Orlando. The association provides an interchange of views among manufacturers, retailers, suppliers and designers with whom they do business. Headquarters are located in Surfside, Florida.
For additional information or applications please contact:
Sandra Argow
Executive Director
P.O. Box 545946
Surfside, FL 33154-5946
Phone (305) 866-6601
Fax (305) 866-6646
E-mail: FAFM@AOL.com
ABOUT THE DIABETES RESEARCH INSTITUTE
The Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Pioneering new technologies in islet transplantation and other cellular therapies since the early 1970’s, the DRI has successfully reversed diabetes in patients involved in ongoing clinical trials. The most comprehensive diabetes research facility of its kind, the DRI conducts a broad range of scientific programs focused on the rapidly evolving fields of pancreatic stem cell development, transplant immunology, molecular biology, genetic engineering and regenerative medicine, among others, to speed the most promising findings from the lab to the patient. For the millions of families affected by diabetes who are looking to the world of science for answers, the DRI is the best hope for a diabetes cure.
DRI Foundation contacts:
Natasha Norris — nnorris@drif.org
Lori Weintraub, APR — lweintraub@drif.org
(954)964-4040