Join us on October 14, 2023 for the FARA Energy Ball!
OCTOBER 14, 2023

Tampa Marriott Water Street
505 Water Street
Tampa, FL 33602
6:00pm Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction
7:30pm Seated Dinner & Live Auction
Live Entertainment by: ICON
Reserve a Room at the Tampa Marriott Water Street
Reserve a Room at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center
Purchase Tickets or Sponsorship Online
Purchase Tickets or Sponsorship Via Check or Credit Card, complete RSVP form in invitation below:
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Honorary Chair Council
Suzanne & Paul Avery, Chairman, FARA Board of Directors
Ron Bartek, President, FARA
Charles J. Lockwood, M.D., M.H.C.M., Executive Vice President, USF Health
Honorary Chairs
Janell and Steve Griggs, CEO, Vinik Sports Group
Honorary Committee Members
Joann Abraham
Anna & Frank Alfano
Alison Avery
Laurel Avery
Michael Barbaro
Lorraine & Anthony Barkett
Steve Blair
James Buell
Sandy & Bob Callaghan
Janey DePew
Tanya & Herman Fernandez
Sarah Foglia
Judy Genshaft, PhD
Liz Guerra
Alexis Hoffman
Amy & Kurt Hull
Mary & Paul Jacobs
Pamela & Chris Kelsch
Dawn & Kevin Lambert
Kim Linton
Kaye & Jim Pollard
John Renslow
Nancy & Brad Rex
Kathy & Doug Rothschild
Wendy Ryan
Marc Sawyer
Laura Southwell
Sandi & Chris Sullivan
Heidi & Bill Wright
Avery Lowry Zaritsky
Theresa Zesiewicz, MD FAAN
The generosity of auction item donations from businesses is a critical part of the event’s success, with auction proceeds making up a significant portion of the $1.6 million raised during last year’s event. Please consider an in-kind contribution for this year’s FARA Energy Ball auction. Your support would highlight your business’ name and philanthropic interests within the community and help fuel continued research, clinical trials, and treatments.
Depending on the nature of your business, some of the suggested auction items we are seeking include gift certificates, merchandise, getaways, and memorabilia autographed by major league athletes and A-List celebrities. We appreciate anything you might be willing to give, but are hoping to focus on gift certificates or packages that allow for easy shipping if necessary.
Please mail any donation materials and supporting documentation to:
Elevated Brands
Attn: FARA Energy Ball
12750 Citrus Park Lane, Suite 115
Tampa, FL 33625
Please direct questions to Auction Coordinators, Joann Abraham at
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Thank you considering a donation to support FARA. Personal and corporate donations can be designated in honor of a particular person or in support of the FARA Energy Ball.
Donate Online
You can donate by credit card online by clicking the button below.
By Phone
You can donate over the phone by calling the FARA office at (484) 879 6160, (includes international donations). We will need your name, address and credit card information. The credit card user fee charged to FARA is 2.6% of your donation.
By Mail or Fax
You can download the Credit Card Authorization form and mail it in or fax it to (813) 321-7783 (includes international donations). You can send a check or money order to FARA at:
The FARA ENERGY BALL
533 W Uwchlan Ave
Downingtown, PA 19335 USA
The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance (FARA) is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.
Donations to FARA are tax deductible. FARA's tax ID number is 52-2122720.
Join Us for an FA Symposium Brunch
Hosted by FARA & USF Health Ataxia Research Center
Saturday, October 14, 2023
10 am – 12:30 pm
USF Center for Advanced Medical Learning & Simulation
Tampa, FL
REGISTER HERE
10-10:45am: Registration and Breakfast Meet & Greet
10:45am: Welcome
Charles J. Lockwood, MD, MHCM, Executive Vice President, USF Health; Dean, Morsani College of Medicine
10:50am: Advancing Research at the University of South Florida (USF) Ataxia Research Center
Thomas McDonald, MD, Director of Cardiac Genetics, USF, Morsani College of Medicine
Aarti Patel, MD, Assoc Professor, USF, Morsani College of Medicine
11:20am: Your Impact on FARA's Mission to Treat & Cure Friedreich's Ataxia
Ron Bartek, President, FARA
Jennifer Farmer, Chief Executive Officer, FARA
11:35am: Clinical Stage Programs in FA- Research Panel
Moderated by: Theresa Zesiewicz, MD, Division Director, USF Ataxia Research Center
Featuring: Representatives from Pharmaceutical Companies with Clinical Stage Programs in FA
(Design Therapeutics, Larimar Therapeutics, LEXEO Therapeutics, PTC Therapeutics,Reata Pharmaceuticals, & Stealth Therapeutics)
12:05pm: Living with FA - Patient Panel
Featuring: Natalie Rex and Sean Sommerville
12:35pm: Closing Remarks
Clifton Gooch, MD, Chair of USF Neurology
We invite you to be part of the FARA Energy Ball by making an in-kind contribution to this year’s auction! We are seeking gift certificates to Tampa or national businesses, merchandise, getaways, and memorabilia autographed by major league athletes and A-list celebrities. Your support will be acknowledged in our online auction catalog.
Make your commitment by filling out the commitment form at curefa.org/energyball_auction or email
Materials and supporting documentation can be sent to:
Elevated Brands
Attn: FARA Energy Ball
12750 Citrus Park Lane, Suite 115
Tampa, FL 33625