This past weekend the Staglin's raised a record $3.8 Million for mental health research. The money amount raised doubles 2005 net, bringing total raised to date to almost $32 Million. More than 500 donors roared their approval when Garen and Shari announced that Peter T. Paul, of Paul Financial Corporation was announced as the Festival's first Million Dollar Supporter.

”Research progress is accelerating through cooperation and communication among scientists around the world,” said Garen Staglin. “With everyone’s continued support, we are committed to finding the causes and cures for mental disorders in our lifetime,” added Staglin. The program began with an open-to-the-public scientific symposium at which Dr. Daniel Weinberger, M.D., of George Washington University and the NIMH, focused on issues relating to physiological brain disorders, the current state of research and the promises of the future. The presentation was taped in high definition, and will be available for viewing via web cast at www.staglinfamily.com.

At the conclusion of his lecture, Dr. Weinberger was joined on stage by Shari and Garen Staglin to present the 2nd Annual $250,000 Staglin Family/NARSAD Schizophrenia “Rising Star” research award to Dr. Eva Anton, from the University of North Carolina who is investigating how the gene NRG-1 guides the young brain in growing its cell structures, and how malfunctions in this guidance may form a basic cause of schizophrenia.

For previous years highlights see 2005, 2004 and 2003.